Leslie Massey
Australia has a thriving mushroom industry, with most growers located near capital cities, and around 30% of national production based in the Hawkesbury area near Sydney. The origin of commercial mushroom growing in Australia can be traced back to 1933 in the disused railway tunnels under Sydney. The process of growing mushrooms is unique to fruits and vegetables and requires careful attention to ensure a good harvest. In addition to the commonly cultivated Agaricus bisporus, Australia is also home to native magic mushrooms, which grow from Queensland to Tasmania. The biodiversity of these mushrooms is not yet fully understood, and their legal status as controlled substances has hindered research into their potential clinical applications. However, there is a project underway at the University of Queensland to map their diversity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial mushroom growing history | Commercial mushroom growing in Australia dates back to 1933 in Sydney's disused railway tunnels. |
| Location of growers | Most of Australia's 77 mushroom growers are located near capital cities, with 30% in the Hawkesbury area near Sydney. |
| Mushroom types | Agaricus bisporus (white and swiss brown), shiitake, wood ear, oyster, enoki, pearl, magic mushrooms |
| Growing medium | Compost/substrate made from wheat straw, poultry litter, organic materials, gypsum, and water |
| Spawn | Bought from specialized producers and mixed into the compost to seed the mushroom crop |
| Pasteurization | Pillowcases containing the substrate are placed in an icebox with 80°C water to pasteurize the mixture |
| Harvesting | Mushrooms fruit in 6-12 months, with each log yielding 5-6 flushes or harvests when the temperature is below 20°C |
| Flavor development | Mushrooms develop a more robust flavor as they are allowed to grow larger |
| Sugarcane by-product use | Bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane, can be used as a substrate to grow premium-quality Asian mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are native to Australia, but illegal
Magic mushrooms, which produce the psychoactive compound psilocybin, are native to Australia. However, their cultivation, manufacture, possession, use, and supply is illegal throughout the country. Psilocybin is listed as a prohibited drug in Schedule 1 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 in New South Wales. Offenders can face imprisonment and a criminal record.
Despite their illegality, magic mushrooms have been used by Indigenous communities for over a thousand years. There is also evidence that they grow in abundance from the tip of Queensland to the southernmost forests of Tasmania. Dr Alistair McTaggart, a mycologist and evolutionary biologist, is researching the biodiversity of magic mushrooms in Australia. He notes that Australian species of psychoactive mushrooms are unique from their global relatives and may have evolved different methods for psilocybin production.
The legal status of magic mushrooms as controlled substances has prevented the study of their biodiversity, chemistry, ethnobotany, and clinical applications. Dr McTaggart hopes to collaborate with Indigenous communities and mushroom experts in Australia to investigate the clinical applications and other uses of the country's magic mushrooms.
As of July 1, 2023, psilocybin is legal in Australia when prescribed by authorised psychiatrists for specific conditions such as treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. Magic mushroom spores and grow kits are also legal to possess because they do not contain psilocybin. However, cultivating magic mushrooms from these spores is illegal.
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The Agaricus bisporus mushroom is available in white and swiss brown
The Agaricus bisporus mushroom, also known as the cultivated mushroom, is available in both white and swiss brown varieties. This mushroom is native to grasslands in Eurasia and North America and is cultivated in over 70 countries, making it one of the most commonly consumed mushrooms globally. The white Agaricus bisporus starts as a small button mushroom and grows into a cup shape before maturing into a large, flat, or BBQ mushroom. Similarly, the Swiss brown variety starts as a button mushroom and grows into a large portobello mushroom. The flavour of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms intensifies as they are allowed to grow, with the white button mushrooms having a mild flavour and the larger, more mature mushrooms exhibiting a more robust taste profile.
The white variety of Agaricus bisporus was first discovered in 1925 at the Keystone Mushroom Farm in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, among a bed of brown mushrooms. Agaricus bisporus mushrooms are composed of 92% water, 3% carbohydrates, 3% protein, and negligible amounts of fat. They are an excellent source of B vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. Fresh mushrooms also provide dietary minerals such as phosphorus and potassium.
The process of growing Agaricus bisporus mushrooms involves farmers buying spawn from specialised producers and mixing it with compost to 'seed' the mushroom crop. The spawn inoculates the mycelium in the compost, leading to the formation of mushrooms. Creating high-quality compost, known as "substrate," is crucial for successful mushroom growth. This compost is made by mixing straw, water, and poultry litter, and it undergoes frequent mixing and pasteurisation to ensure a clean and optimal growing medium.
It is important to distinguish Agaricus bisporus mushrooms from similar-looking but poisonous mushrooms, such as Entoloma sinuatum, which has yellowish gills that turn pink. Another look-alike is the inedible Agaricus xanthodermus, found worldwide in grassy areas, which has flesh that turns yellow when bruised and can cause nausea and vomiting in some individuals.
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Modern farming methods use spawn from specialised producers
Modern farming methods for mushrooms in Australia involve buying spawn from specialised producers. This spawn is then mixed through compost, acting as a seed for the mushroom crop. The spawn inoculates the mycelium growing in the compost, which eventually forms mushrooms.
Farmers can choose from different mushroom spawn strains, depending on their preferred growing method and the type of mushrooms they wish to cultivate. The process begins with creating a compost food source, or 'substrate', by combining straw, water, and poultry litter. This mixture is frequently turned to accelerate decomposition.
To ensure the compost is optimal for mushroom growth, it undergoes an extensive pasteurisation process to eliminate unwanted insects, weeds, and organisms. This step results in a rich, organic mixture that provides the mushroom spawn with essential nutrients, carbon, and nitrogen.
Creating high-quality compost is critical for successful mushroom cultivation. The unique growth process of mushrooms, distinct from fruits and vegetables, makes it both a scientific marvel and a precise art. The Agaricus bisporus mushroom, for example, is available in two colours: white and Swiss brown. The same mushroom is sold at different stages of maturity, from button mushrooms to large flat or BBQ mushrooms, with the flavour intensifying as it grows.
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Commercial mushroom growing in Australia began in 1933
Commercial mushroom growing in Australia has a long history, dating back to 1933 when it first began in disused railway tunnels under Sydney. In the modern era, mushroom farming involves a unique process distinct from typical fruit and vegetable cultivation.
The Agaricus bisporus mushroom, available in white and swiss brown varieties, is the most common type sold in Australia. This mushroom is versatile, as it can be harvested at different ages to yield different types: a young white Agaricus bisporus is a button mushroom, while if left to grow, it becomes a cup and eventually matures into a large flat or 'BBQ' mushroom. Similarly, a Swiss Brown mushroom, when allowed to grow, becomes a large Portobello. The flavour of the mushroom intensifies as it is left to grow, with the white button mushroom having a mild flavour and the larger, more mature mushrooms exhibiting a more robust taste.
The process of growing mushrooms involves creating a compost food source called a 'substrate' by mixing straw, water, and poultry litter, which is frequently turned to accelerate decomposition. This substrate undergoes pasteurization to eliminate unwanted insects, weeds, and organisms, resulting in a nutrient-rich mixture that provides the mushroom spawn with essential nutrients, carbon, and nitrogen for growth. The spawn, which can be purchased from specialised producers, is then mixed with the substrate and placed on trays or 'beds' in growing rooms.
These growing rooms have controlled temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels to promote mushroom growth. Small, pin-like mushrooms emerge from the substrate, and harvesters must carefully pick them by hand at the right time to ensure they are not too big or too small. Mushrooms grow in flushes, with four to five flushes possible in one growing cycle, which can last up to three weeks with constant harvesting. The cycle is completed when the mushroom substrate is returned to the environment as a valuable potting mix and garden mulch.
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Queensland is home to a burgeoning exotic mushroom industry
Queensland, Australia, is witnessing the emergence of a thriving exotic mushroom industry. Bundaberg, a region well-known for its sugarcane industry, is now also home to a burgeoning exotic Asian mushroom farming sector. This development is the result of a collaboration between the sugarcane industry and mushroom growers, facilitated by CSIRO SME Connect.
The sugarcane industry in Queensland, which generates over $2 billion in export earnings annually, has faced challenges due to volatile sugar prices and changing consumer demands. However, a by-product of sugarcane, called bagasse, has presented a new opportunity for mushroom cultivation. Bagasse is an eco-friendly pulp material produced by harvesting the juice from sugarcane, and it can be used as a fertiliser.
Australian-based mushroom growers, Kenon Corporation, based in Park Ridge in southeast Queensland, have taken advantage of this opportunity. With assistance from SME Connect facilitator Anna Daniel, they secured government funding to partner with researchers from CQUniversity Australia. Together, they successfully proved the viability of using bagasse as a substrate to cultivate premium exotic Asian mushroom varieties such as Oyster, Enoki, and Pearl.
This collaboration has brought multiple benefits. Firstly, it has enabled the local production of exotic mushrooms, reducing the reliance on importing spores and substrates from other countries. Secondly, it has created more jobs and helped secure the product from import challenges caused by events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, it has opened doors for further research and collaboration with universities, with the potential for larger grants and more innovative discoveries in mushroom cultivation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms grow in Australia. The origin of commercial mushroom growing in Australia can be traced back to 1933 in Sydney.
The Agaricus bisporus is available in two colours in Australia—white and Swiss brown. Other types of mushrooms that grow in Australia include shiitake, wood ear, and oyster. Queensland is also home to a burgeoning industry for high-quality exotic Asian mushrooms, such as Oyster, Enoki, and Pearl.
Mushroom farmers buy spawn from specialized spawn producers and mix it through the compost as a way to 'seed' the mushroom crop. The spawn inoculates the mycelium growing in the compost and eventually forms a mushroom.
Yes, magic mushrooms grow in abundance from the tip of Queensland to the southernmost forests of Tasmania. However, the cultivation, manufacture, possession, use, and supply of psilocybin is illegal throughout Australia.
