For the occasion of the 2nd International Symposium on Mushrooms, held from the 6th to 9th December in Brazil, C point was invited to give a lecture on phase 1 thru 4 composting for the production of Agaricus varieties. After the congress, the author visited a group of growers around Mogi das Cruzes in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, where 80 % of Brazilian mushrooms are cultivated. Mushrooms are also grown in other Brazilian states; such as Rio Grande do Sul. In the state of Minas Gerais, Agaricus blazei are also produced in addition to common mushrooms.

The 2nd International Symposium on Mushrooms in Brazil was organised by EMBRAPA Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and FAGRO (Foundation for the Support of Research and Agribusiness in Brazil). One of the activities of the EMBRAPA organisation is research into the production aspects of many varieties of mushroom. This organisation is answerable to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and the president of EMBRAPA, Mrs. Dr. Arailde Fontes Urben coordinated the congress.

Speakers were invited from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, China, Iraq, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. The congress focussed on two subjects. Firstly, developments in medical science concerning the beneficial effects of substances in mushrooms on patients suffering from tumours, high blood pressure, immunity disorders and cardio-vascular disease. The results booked from research into the cancer slowing effects of the promising Agaricus Braziliensis (Agaricus Blazei) were very impressive and received much attention during the symposium. A lot of time was also devoted to mushroom production.

Cultivation of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus blazei

Around the city of Mogi das Cruzes in the south of Brazil many growers are active in the commercial production of Agaricus varieties. Mushroom production in Brazil amounts to around 5000 tons annually, of which 95 % is processed in the canning industry. The production of Agaricus blazei is around 5200 tons annually. These mushrooms are dried before being sold.

Years ago mushroom growers mainly originating from Taiwan introduced Agaricus bisporus growing to Brazil. The way mushrooms are grown in Brazil greatly resembles Asian methods. However, there is also evidence of an accelerated development drive, evident in the appearance of more and more modern companies following ‘Dutch’ methods.

One of the photographs shows a typical Brazilian growing room. From the outside this appears to consist of several adjacent growing rooms, but actually all these areas under different roofs are joined creating one open area. People refer to one growing room, but in reality several growing phases are progressing at the same time. Casing on different days is used to spread the harvest.

Remarkably the growing rooms are constructed from wood, and covered on the outside by a layer of insulation material. On one of the photographs the silver coloured insulation covering the growing rooms can be seen clearly.

Cultivation of Agaricus blazei is mainly done in the south of Brazil, which has a milder climate than the central and northern regions. A typical Brazilian method of cultivating these mushrooms found in the Brazilian Amazon region is outdoors.

Compost and spawn

The CG Vasone Compostagem para Cogumelos company produces compost to grow Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus blazei. The raw materials chiefly consist of straw, chicken manure, sugar cane and gypsum.

Compost production is destined for farms run by growers who are members of this co-operative. As well as producing for their own farms, the compost is also sold to field vegetable growers who then re-sell the harvested mushrooms back to the co-operative, where they are processed as part of the co-operative's general production.

The compost is processed outdoors and after phase 1 filled into a tunnel with spigot floor for phase 2.

On Mr. Siló Chi's company after the raw materials have been blended, part is composted outdoors before part of the process continues in bunkers. After phase 1 the compost is placed into a tunnel for phase 2. On this particular facility the compost is filled in a phase 2 tunnel fitted with an open slatted floor.

On both companies only phase 2 is completed in tunnels. After phase 2 the compost is inoculated and bagged in plastic, before being transported to typical Brazilian growing farms.

The spawn used is domestically produced. Brasmicel produces mushroom spawn for local growers.

Cultivation and marketing

The plastic bags with inoculated compost are placed on wooden shelving at the farms, where the compost is incubated. More advanced farms are now being built with improved climate control systems to enable year-round production. There are currently many companies that restrict the amount of compost in the bags to keep the temperature under control. Also, many companies cease production during the hot, summer months (December to February). This system suits the method of growing in fairly open wooden growing rooms where diseases are difficult to control.

After incubation, the compost is cased with home-produced casing soil. The photographs show its typical red colour, an indication of the high amounts of iron in the local soil.

After harvesting the mushrooms are generally processed in jars or canned.

At Mr. Siló Chi's company the entire chain of composting, growing and processing takes place. Chi's mushrooms are marketed under the brand name LUCA, a canning factory that processes vegetables under the same name as well.

As production is lower than consumption, many conserved mushrooms are imported from China. Knowing that Brazilian consumers use 0.5 grams of mushrooms per head of the population each year it's obvious that there is a huge potential market here in a country numbering more than 150 million inhabitants. Brazil is about the same size as the whole of Europe. Cities such as Rio de Janeiro with around 8 million and Sao Paulo with its 10 million inhabitants are interesting markets.

An unusual way of growing Agaricus blazei is in the open air. The compost ready to be inoculated is placed in a shallow trough and then covered. Grass is positioned on top to prevent dehydration and to protect the pinheads and fruit bodies. The photograph shows how Agaricus Braziliënsis is also cultivated on a farm that grows field grown vegetables. The Agaricus blazei is a heat lover. The hot summer climate in the south of Brazil is extremely suited to growing this mushroom outdoors. Plus, insects are not really attracted to this highly aromatic mushroom, which spreads a strong almond scent.

Evaluation

Brazil shows much development, both economically and agriculturally. Mushroom growing here has massive potential. There is a market for common mushrooms and a financially interesting climate to expand the mushroom growing industry. There is also widespread interest in the production of Agaricus blazei, namely from the Japanese market that prefers blazei grown in Brazil. Mushroom consumption also has growth potential, certainly with a more active approach to marketing. And a lot will be owed to the enterprising spirit of Brazilian growers and their ambition to grow in quality and quantity.