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Abstract: The possibility of stimulating yield of mushrooms by supplementation of the compost after Phase II fermentation was confirmed by the series of experiments reported in our first paper (4) wherein the nutrient was added at the time of spawning. While a definite increase in yield occurred it was limited in amount to not more than 25% of the expected yield of the unsupplemented compost. The amount of nutrient that could be added and still give an increase was also limited to about 25 g per kg of dry weight of compost. Because the limiting factor appeared to be the competition for the supplement between the mushroom mycelium and an assortment of molds and other micro-organisms with the slow-growing mushroom mycelium coming out the loser, a method was sought for supplementation in such a way as to allow the mushroom mycelium more rapid and sole access to the nutrient. The addition of the nutrient to the compost when it was grown through with mycelium just before the casing layer of soil was added became, then, the next object of study. In order to explore the effect of such supplementation at casing time it was necessary to find the best method of adding the nutrient to the compost at this stage. Obviously, the easiest way would be to spread it over the surface of the compost just as the casing layer is applied. However, a test utilizing this method showed that the yield, instead of being increased, decreased. More appropriate methods of introducing the nutrient were, therefore, sought.
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