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Abstract: Experiments attempting to increase calcium and/or reduce copper uptake by mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) were conducted in an attempt to improve crop yield and/or fresh and processed product quality. In the first group of experiments, EDTA (200 ppm), calcium chloride (0.3%) and a combination of both were added in irrigation water and compared to untreated tap water (control) in three replicate mushroom crops. Results showed no significant effect of any of the treatments on crop yield, but increases in calcium content, solids, initial and stored whiteness of fresh mushrooms and yield and color of canned product were observed and attributed primarily to addition of calcium chloride. EDTA was not effective in reducing copper uptake or improving yield or quality of mushrooms. Thus, a second set of similar experiments were conducted where EDTA was added directly to the compost at spawning. EDTA was ineffective in reducing copper uptake or improving quality of mushrooms and appeared to reduce yield of the crops. However, addition of calcium chloride to irrigation water and the combination of EDTA added to the compost and calcium chloride added to irrigation water were effective in improving initial and postharvest quality of fresh mushrooms as well as processed product yield and quality. Calcium chloride added to irrigation water was most effective in improving quality but appeared to reduce crop yield when compost moisture was limiting. Therefore, subsequent experiments focused on an alternative watering practice that involved adding two additional irrigations of the casing between pinning and the first flush and between each subsequent flush. This practice of adding two additional watering with calcium chloride was found to restore crop yields and produced the best quality mushrooms.
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