Polymeric media amendment for growing mushrooms
AssigneeDeerpoint Industries, Inc.
InventorsDeborah L. Miller, John C. Miller, Douglas Tanner, Anastacio Andrade
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Abstract
A medium for enhancing growth and availability of water during a mushroom life cycle, comprising a synthetic resin and a casing material, the resin consisting essentially of a substantially-linear water-soluble polymer capable of forming a water absorbing network within the casing material, such that the polymer is dispersed within the casing material upon exposure to water and retains water for mycelia to mushroom growth progression. Use of polyacrylamides benefits growth by retaining water, reducing evaporation loss, improving yields, and increasing product distribution into larger size ranges.
Claims20
A medium for enhancing growth and availability of water during a mushroom life cycle, comprising a synthetic resin and a casing material, said casing material selected from the group consisting of peat moss, compost, reclaimed compost, and combinations thereof, and said resin consisting essentially of a substantially-linear water-soluble polymer capable of forming a water-absorbing network within said casing material, such that said polymeric resin is dispersed within said casing material upon exposure to water and retains water for mycelia to mushroom growth progression.
A material for facilitating mycelia development, comprising a casing selected from the group consisting of peat moss, compost, reclaimed compost, and combinations thereof, and a synthetic resin dispersed in said casing, said resin consisting essentially of a substantially linear, water-soluble acrylamide homopolymer, such that mycelia grow through said material along said substantially linear homopolymer.
A method for promoting mushroom development from a spawn medium, comprising:
- providing a casing material, said material selected from the group consisting of peat moss, compost, reclaimed compost, field soil, and combinations thereof;
- dispersing within said casing material a substantially linear water-soluble polymer capable of forming a water-absorbing network within said casing material;
- and
- applying water to said casing material such that the water is absorbed by said polymer for subsequent release responsive to mushroom growth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.