Mushrooms are part of a often unknown universe, surrounded by mysteries and legends. To better understand this unique ecosystem, it is essential to become familiar with the life cycle of mushrooms and their vital role in nature. Let’s explore together the fundamental aspects of this fascinating kingdom.
A Separate Kingdom: The Fungi
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals, but belong to a distinct kingdom: the Fungi. This kingdom occupies a unique place in the living world, playing a crucial role in the decomposition of organic matter and the nutrient cycle in ecosystems.
Unlike plants, which produce their own energy through photosynthesis, and animals, which consume complex foods, fungi have a heterotrophic lifestyle. They depend on the decomposition of organic matter to feed, thus standing at the crossroads between the animal and plant kingdoms.
Similarities with the Animal Kingdom
Although often associated with plants because of their sessile lifestyle (they do not move), fungi share several key characteristics with the animal kingdom:
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Respiration: Like animals, fungi breathe oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This process places them in a category distinct from plants, which absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen.
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Feeding: Fungi are heterotrophic, meaning they depend on the organic matter present in their environment to feed. They obtain their energy by decomposing dead or living matter, an essential function that contributes to ecosystem regeneration.
A Unique Lifestyle
Unlike animals that hunt or move to find their food, fungi have an external "stomach." They secrete digestive enzymes into their environment to break down organic matter before absorbing nutrients. This unique ability allows them to feed on substrates as diverse as dead wood, decomposing leaves, or even plant roots.
This external digestion gives fungi an indispensable role in the decomposition of organic matter, thus contributing to the formation of humus, the carbon cycle, and soil renewal. Without fungi, nature would be overwhelmed by undecomposed plant debris, disrupting natural cycles.
The Mycelium: The Powerful Invisible
What is commonly called a mushroom is actually only the visible part of the organism, called the fruit or reproductive organ. This structure, often shaped like a cap, is the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface, in the soil, dead wood, or around roots, hides the mycelium, the true body of the mushroom.
The mycelium is a complex network of microscopic filaments called hyphae. These hyphae extend through the substrate, secreting enzymes that break down the surrounding organic matter. This process allows fungi to absorb the nutrients necessary for their growth and development.
This mycelial network is essential not only for the survival of fungi but also for the health of ecosystems. For example, the mycelium can form symbiotic associations with plant roots, facilitating the exchange of nutrients and water between plants and soil, while strengthening plants’ resistance to diseases.
The Three Major Families of Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be classified into three major categories based on their lifestyle and interaction with the environment:
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Symbiotic: These fungi live in symbiosis with plants, forming what are called mycorrhizae. In exchange for essential nutrients they provide to plant roots, these fungi receive sugars produced by plants via photosynthesis. This symbiotic relationship is beneficial for both parties and plays a crucial role in the health of forest ecosystems.
For example, truffles and porcini mushrooms are mycorrhizal fungi that cannot be cultivated without the presence of a host tree.
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Parasites: Unlike symbiotic fungi, these fungi extract sugars from living plants without giving anything in return. Some parasitic fungi, like armillaria, can even decompose their host’s tissues, which can lead to the plant’s death. Although these fungi may seem harmful, they also play a role in forest regeneration by accelerating the decomposition of sick trees.
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Saprophytes: These fungi decompose only dead matter. Saprophytes, like oyster mushrooms or shiitakes, are essential for nutrient recycling in ecosystems. They can be cultivated on a wide variety of substrates, such as wood sawdust, straw, or compost. The majority of mushrooms cultivated for food purposes belong to this category, as they can be produced independently of a living tree.
The most commonly used substrates for cultivating saprophytic mushrooms include wood sawdust, chips, straw, manure, and compost. These materials offer an ideal source of carbon and nitrogen for mycelial growth.
At Mycosphere, we have conducted many experiments on substrates and the fruit of our research is our Optimal Substrate: an organic certified pellet substrate designed for optimal colonization and mushroom production.
Reproduction and Multiplication of Mushrooms
Mushrooms reproduce mainly by producing spores, tiny reproductive particles that disperse into the environment. Under favorable conditions, these spores germinate, meet, and fuse to form a new mycelium. This mycelium, once well established, can in turn produce fruiting bodies (the visible mushrooms) and thus perpetuate the life cycle.
In mushroom cultivation, mycelium is often multiplied by taking pieces of existing mycelium to inoculate new substrates. This method allows for the rapid and efficient production of large quantities of mushrooms.
Grain Spawn: The Seed of Mushrooms
The seed of mushrooms, often called “mushroom spawn,” is a material inoculated with mycelium. This colonized substrate is used to inoculate larger quantities of substrate, thus facilitating large-scale production.
We generally produce and sell grain spawn because grains are rich in essential nutrients for mushrooms. This type of seed guarantees maximum vigor and rapid colonization of new substrates, thus ensuring abundant mushroom production.
Conclusion
Mushrooms, with their complex life cycle and crucial role in ecosystems, deserve special attention. By better understanding their functioning, from the invisible mycelium to the visible fruiting body, we can appreciate their importance not only in nature but also in our daily lives.
Whether you are a passionate mushroom grower or simply curious by nature, mushrooms offer a universe to explore, rich in discoveries and benefits for the environment and health.
