Snowhite Mushrooms; 2003/2004. 13 trials. Form- Formaldehyde product. Var 1 - New variant on trial
by Stuart Whitehall & Frank Parker, IPP Limited
Natural Gold is a totally new concept in mushroom nutrition. It is the result of almost 20 years of research and development and over 500 performance trials of approximately 5,000 individual mixtures.
Natural Gold works by providing a full essential nutrient mixture (not just protein). This balanced mixture is kept under control by being mixed with amine and calcium salts of natural organic acids. These naturally occurring substances are not attacked by mushroom compost moulds and microflora. In fact, most types of nutrient breakdown moulds and bacteria are strongly inhibited by these organic salts. These same salts are also sources of high energy protective nutrient for the mushroom mycelia.
It has been common knowledge in the mushroom trade for 50 years that a compost must contain a balance of carbohydrate, fibre, lipid and protein. Formaldehyde soaked products are effective as sources of cross-linked and modified protein which is then not so vulnerable to mould and bacterial attack. Unfortunately, formaldehyde only reacts chemically with, and stabilizes, protein. All other essential nutrients are merely temporarily disinfected but not modified by the formalin. Within moments of the addition of formalin stabilized supplement to a compost, the non-protein part becomes vulnerable to mould and bacterial attack. There are also no animal proteins present.
The result of this constraint is that formaldehyde supplements must contain only protein and so cannot be manufactured to contain a full essential nutrient mixture. High protein levels alone are not conducive to high performance compost supplements.
Natural Gold contains a balance of fibre, carbohydrates, protein and selected lipids blended to give the nutrition to the mushroom and then stabilised and protected by long lasting natural organic salts. The result is that Natural Gold is exceptionally resistant to weed moulds and heat surge.
The mycelia can also derive two special nutrients from one of the ingredients in Natural Gold. One, (O.D.A), accelerates and thickens mycelium spread and growth rate of fruit bodies and, the second, is the mushroom aroma and taste chemical I-Octen 3-OI. The presence of adequate amounts of I-Octen 3-OI in the crop is very important in maximising customer appeal and food value, especially for the high yielding white hybrids which can be somewhat bland if grown in compost with low I-Octen 3-OI potential. The presence of the organic salts also improves whiteness of the mushroom and the density. Another effect that is not easy to explain is that mushrooms remain tightly closed for longer on the bed so that, with the appropriate management, larger product can be harvested without the risk of opening. There are also big implications for picking costs.
Product % Piece wt > Control Pick Cost/ lb (cents) None 0 18 Form 1 2 17.6 Form 2 0 18 Nat Gold 14 15.5
Trial: Snow White Mushrooms 2003/2004. Based on 13 trials above. Picking cost 18c/lb
Compost heating and surges have always been a side effect of conventional supplement products with high protein levels. Through much research into individual groups of ingredients we utilise in Natural Gold, we have minimal heating effects. This means that mycelium be grown as optimum temperatures without burning off nutrients in the compost and also savings in energy costs. This obviously has a big appeal to phase 2 growers who can expect similar performance improvements to those using nutrition products on phase 3.
To ensure reliability, consistency and product hygiene a commercial decision was taken to manufacture “in house” to ensure total control of all aspects of the process.
Research and development has always been a cornerstone of our philosophy and this is ongoing. We hope to be able to offer growers ‘designer’ supplements in the future to suit their circumstances and in particular manipulate flushing patterns.
Product Revenue (EUR) Profit (EUR) None 12770 2837 Form 1 13783 2720 Form 2 14760 2937 Nat Gold 15971 3206
Trials: Snow White Mushrooms – 2003/2004. Based on 13 trials above. Revenue and profit scenarios on 25 tonne house including supplement cost
We are moving into a new era of growing where efficiency of conversion of the raw materials that we use in mushroom growing (ie our costs) will be one of the most important factors in the future to grower survival. We hope to help growers achieve this by giving them a balanced nutrient product .
