Harvesting the Mushroom Crop: a Mathematical Model

Abstract

A recently published mathematical model for mycelial growth and the initiation and growth of sporophores in the mushroom crop is extended to allow for harvesting of the sporophores. The extended model exhibits temporal fluctuations in yield which are similar, in most respects, to those produced by real crops. The response of the model to changes in the age at which sporophores are harvested is also similar to that observed experimentally, except that little change in total yield is predicted. This discrepancy is probably associated with the abortion of sporophore primordia, which is not allowed for in the model. The model is used to demonstrate the importance of using regular harvesting schedules in mushroom cropping experiments.