Mushrooms are part of an often little-known 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 reign.
A Kingdom Apart: Fungi
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals, but belong to a distinct kingdom: Fungi. This kingdom occupies a unique place in the living world, playing a crucial role in the decomposition of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients 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 for food, thus placing themselves at the crossroads between the animal and plant kingdoms.
Similarities with the Animal Kingdom
Although often associated with plants due to their sessile lifestyle (they do not move), fungi share several key characteristics with the animal kingdom:
-
Respiration: Like animals, fungi breathe oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This process places them in a separate category from plants, which absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen.
-
Diet: Fungi are heterotrophic, meaning they rely on organic matter in their environment for food. They obtain their energy by decomposing dead or living matter, an essential function that contributes to the regeneration of ecosystems.
A Unique Way of Life
Unlike animals that hunt or move around to find their food, mushrooms 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, decaying leaves, or even plant roots.
This external digestion gives fungi an essential role in the decomposition of organic matter, thus contributing to the formation of humus, the carbon cycle, and the renewal of soils. Without fungi, nature would be overwhelmed by undecomposed plant debris, disrupting natural cycles.
Mycelium: Powerful Invisibility
What we commonly call a mushroom is in reality only the visible part of the organism, called the fruit or reproductive organ. This structure, often shaped like a hat, is the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface, in the soil, dead wood or around the roots, hides the mycelium, the real body of the fungus.
Mycelium is a complex network of microscopic filaments called hyphae. These hyphae extend through the substrate, secreting enzymes that break down surrounding organic matter. This process allows the mushrooms 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, mycelium can form symbiotic associations with plant roots, facilitating the exchange of nutrients and water between plants and soil, while enhancing plant resistance to disease.
The Three Big Families of Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be classified into three broad categories based on their lifestyle and their interaction with the environment:
-
Symbiotics: These fungi live in symbiosis with plants, forming what we call mycorrhizae. In exchange for essential nutrients that they provide to plant roots, these fungi receive sugars produced by plants via photosynthesis. This symbiotic relationship is beneficial to 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 grown without the presence of a host tree.
-
Parasites: Unlike symbiotics, these fungi take 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 death of the plant. Although these fungi may seem harmful, they also play a role in forest regeneration by accelerating the decay of diseased trees.
-
Saprophytes: These fungi only decompose dead matter. Saprophytes, such as oyster mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms, are essential for the recycling of nutrients in ecosystems. They can be grown on a wide variety of substrates, such as sawdust, straw or compost. The majority of mushrooms grown for food fall into this category because they can be produced independently of a living tree.
The most commonly used substrates for growing saprophytic mushrooms include sawdust, shavings, straw, manure, and compost. These materials provide an ideal source of carbon and nitrogen for mycelial growth.
At Mycosphere, we have conducted numerous experiments on substrates and the fruit of our research is our Optimal Substrate: a certified organic substrate in pellet form designed for optimal colonization and production of mushrooms.
Reproduction and Multiplication of Mushrooms
Fungi reproduce primarily through the production of spores, tiny reproductive particles that disperse throughout 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 seed new substrates. This method allows you to produce large quantities of mushrooms quickly and efficiently.
Mycelium on Grains: The Seed of Mushrooms
Mushroom seed, often called “mushroom spawn,” is a material inoculated with mycelium. This colonized substrate is used to seed larger quantities of substrate, facilitating large-scale production.
We generally produce and sell mycelium on mycelium on grains because mycelium on grains are rich in essential nutrients for mushrooms. This type of spawn ensures maximum vigor and rapid colonization of new substrates, thus ensuring abundant mushroom production.
Conclusion
Fungi, with their complex life cycle and crucial role in ecosystems, deserve special attention. By better understanding how they work, from invisible mycelium to visible fruiting, 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 about nature, mushrooms offer a world to explore, rich in discoveries and benefits for the environment and health.
