|
Abstract: Our controlled fungi production finds a parallel in the insect world, where termites live solely by "cultivating" fungi. Using fungi as a key, they "unlock" indigestible vegetable matter, and use the products of decomposition as their main source of nourishment. The example of the termites can be followed in human society. In one step several problems of our age can be solved: 1. Nutrition 2. Optimisation of plant production by reducing losses 3. Removal of waste products Today more than one half of the total agricultural plant production remains unused as waste matter (straw, leaves, food industry wastes, etc.). Some of these wastes are used as humus manure (compost), part is burned. By suitable treatment with fungi, these wastes can be transformed into biomass (Ammerman and Block, 1964; Block, 1965; Heltay and Petofi, 1965; Marshall and Jennison, 1959; Worgan, 1971; Zadrazil, 1974; et al.). The next step in utilisation can be the extraction of specific fungi components for medical and other purposes. By the example of Pleurotus the possibilities and problems of both the cultivation of edible mushrooms and the re-use of wastes are being demonstrated.
Full text download: ISMS subscribers
ISHS members & pay-per-view
Translate:
   |