MushroomLink Bulletin August 2022
In this edition:
Highlights of Ireland’s mushroom research
Collaborative mushroom marketing
The microbiotic interactions that support mushroom growth
Catch up on our webinar with Dr Anita Stegoska-Needham
Prof Kertesz interviewed by 2GB’s rural reporter
Andrea Ucello harvesting mushrooms on Ireland
A COMPLEX WEB OF LIFE: BACTERIAL-FUNGAL INTERACTIONS
honours student Shivagami Shamugam
In his book Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake imagines the soil as a “horizonless external gut – digestion and salvage everywhere, with flocks of bacteria surfing waves of electrical charge... like the Wild West with all those bandits, brigands, loners, crap shooters… and the seething intimate contact on all sides by fungal hyphae.”
Getting up close and personal to the community of biota within compost reveals a hustle and bustle that could rival Tokyo central station at peak hour. Mushroom compost thrums with life and activity.
The fermented and pasteurised substrates that support mushrooms are home to countless microorganisms, interacting with each other in a series of physiological and biochemical reactions to create ideal growing conditions for the Agaricus mycelia.
Understanding these bacterial interactions in mushroom compost will likely underpin future developments in the industry as it searches for more sustainable sources of substrates.
University of Sydney honours student Shivagami Shamugam has been investigating the status of current research, and opportunities to exploit bacterial interactions, as part of a levy-supported research project with Dr Michael Kertesz. Her review has been accepted (with minor changes) for publication in the Journal of Applied Microbiology – a significant achievement for an honours student. The following attempts to summarise this review.
Australian Mushrooms Marketing Rebooted
The marketing team at Hort Innovation has developed a new approach to the Marketing Planning Process through close collaboration with industry.
This fresh approach for the FY23, presented in September 2021 by Hort Innovation General Managers of Marketing Jane Smith and Kylie Hudson, laid out a commitment to foster better working relationships with growers and peak industry bodies.
Read all about these initiatives in the first issue of the MushroomLink magazine
MUSHROOMS IN IRELAND, AND THE WORK OF TEAGASC
When people think of horticulture in Ireland, they probably think potatoes. However, the largest horticulture sector in Ireland is actually mushrooms. With 40 farms employing more than 3,500 people and a farm gate value over €120 million, mushrooms are a major industry on the Emerald Isle, a country with a population of only 5 million.
Click here to read the full article from the MushroomLink magazine.
Case Study: Norfolk Island Mushrooms
When people talk about Australia’s most easterly point, they are usually talking about Cape Byron. But, an outpost 1,400 km further east – Norfolk Island - is producing its own mushrooms.
Click here to read about Norfolk Island mushroom grower Darren Nicolai’s operation.
Darren Nicolai turning compost by hand
Pest and Disease Management and Research Services
Over the last five years, Warwick Gill from the University of Tasmania and Judy Allan have led the levy funded
project MU 16003 Pest and disease management and research services, creating an exhaustive and detailed body of knowledge for the Australian mushroom industry.
Over the last five years, Warwick Gill from the University of Tasmania and Judy Allan have led the levy funded project MU 16003 Pest and disease management and research services, creating an exhaustive and detailed body of knowledge for the Australian mushroom industry.
MushroomLink Magazine Issue 01
The first issue of the new MushroomLink magazine is now available. Please contact admin@ahr.com.au to organise a hard copy version of the magazine or be put on the mailing list.
Click here to access a digital copy
Articles:
Mushrooms in Ireland, and the work of Teagasc
A complex web of life: Bacterial fungal interactions
Australian mushrooms marketing rebooted
PCR: A new diagnostics tool gives growers the upper hand in controlling disease
Its a wrap on MU16003 pest and disease management and research services
A new diagnostic tool gives growers the upper hand in controlling disease
A mushroom industry-funded project has delivered a commercially available early disease detection service which has revolutionised the way growers manage disease.
A mushroom industry-funded project has delivered a commercially available early disease detection service which has revolutionised the way growers manage disease.
Click here to find out more in the full article from MushroomLink
AHR employee Samali Perera runs mushroom samples through the PCR machine
Australian Mushrooms marketing rebooted
The marketing team at Hort Innovation has developed a new approach to the Marketing Planning Process through close collaboration with industry. This fresh approach for the FY23, presented in September 2021 by Hort Innovation General Managers of Marketing Jane Smith and Kylie Hudson, laid out a commitment to foster better working relationships with growers and peak industry bodies.
The marketing team at Hort Innovation has developed a new approach to the Marketing Planning Process through close collaboration with industry. This fresh approach for the FY23, presented in September 2021 by Hort Innovation General Managers of Marketing Jane Smith and Kylie Hudson, laid out a commitment to foster better working relationships with growers and peak industry bodies.
A complex web of life: bacterial-fungal interactions
In his book Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake imagines the soil as a “horizonless external gut – digestion and salvage everywhere, with flocks of bacteria surfing waves of electrical charge... like the Wild West with all those bandits, brigands, loners, crap shooters… and the seething intimate contact on all sides by fungal hyphae.”
In his book Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake imagines the soil as a “horizonless external gut – digestion and salvage everywhere, with flocks of bacteria surfing waves of electrical charge... like the Wild West with all those bandits, brigands, loners, crap shooters… and the seething intimate contact on all sides by fungal hyphae.”
University of Sydney honours student Shivagami Shamugam has been investigating the status of current research, and opportunities to exploit bacterial interactions, as part of a levy-supported research project with Dr Michael Kertesz. Her review has been accepted (with minor changes) for publication in the Journal of Applied Microbiology – a significant achievement for an honours student. The following attempts to summarise this review
University of Sydney honours student Shivagami Shamugam
PROJECT PROOF BY FIFTYFIVE5, Consumer research funded through the Mushroom Industry Marketing levy
In realigning their approach to mushroom marketing, Hort Innovation has committed to strong collaboration with the Mushroom Industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP). This will ensure that any decisions regarding mushroom messaging are data-driven, rather than being based on opinion or hearsay. The objective is to drive demand for mushrooms through increasing consumer knowledge, attitudes and purchase intent.
In realigning their approach to mushroom marketing, Hort Innovation has committed to strong collaboration with the Mushroom Industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP). This will ensure that any decisions regarding mushroom messaging are data-driven, rather than being based on opinion or hearsay. The objective is to drive demand for mushrooms through increasing consumer knowledge, attitudes and purchase intent.
Mushrooms in Ireland, and the work of Teagasc
When people think of horticulture in Ireland, they probably think potatoes. However, the largest horticulture sector in Ireland is actually mushrooms. With 40 farms employing more than 3,500 people and a farm gate value over €120 million, mushrooms are a major industry on the Emerald Isle, a country with a population of only 5 million.
When people think of horticulture in Ireland, they probably think potatoes. However, the largest horticulture sector in Ireland is actually mushrooms. With 40 farms employing more than 3,500 people and a farm gate value over €120 million, mushrooms are a major industry on the Emerald Isle, a country with a population of only 5 million.
Webinar Recording: MU20004 A scoping study to review fungi based global innovations
Click here to get a copy of the compendium
Click here to view the final report
Anita Stefoska-Needham led, in collaboration with AMGA, the project MU20004: "A scoping study to review fungi-based innovations to inform product development opportunities”.
In this webinar, Anita discussed the major output - a mushroom product compendium of over 180 products across 13 categories that can be used to inform the mushroom industry of the range and types of commercially available products globally, as well as to highlight the key food categories where mushroom innovation is most active, and by which major companies.
Anita shared some insights to inspire all Australian mushroom growers to consider which opportunities might be feasible for their businesses in the food innovation space.
About the presenter: Dr Anita Stefoska-Needham is a PhD-qualified, Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (AdvAPD), lecturer/researcher and inventor, with a particular interest in food packaging innovations and holds three granted patents. In addition to substantive experience in hospital-based clinical dietetics, Anita has experience in industry-led research and development, consulting, and teaching over a 25+ year span. Anita is considered a senior member of the dietetics profession, reflected in her appointment to the Council of the Nutrition Society of Australia, as well as to the Hearing and Assessment Panel of the 8000-member peak body, Dietitians Australia.
Anita is currently the Academic Program Director of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science degree at the University of Wollongong, teaching nutrition science and food innovation, and leading food and nutrition research.
MushroomLink Bulletin July 2022
In this edition:
New Magazine coming soon!
Food safety testing - get your samples in!
Marketing update
Latest in R&D
Watch and Listen
News and Events
MU20006 - Podcast episode 3
Keeping control of a potentially industry-damaging story in a complex media landscape can be challenging, but not impossible, if everyone works together to prevent an issue becoming a crisis.
Analysing the ‘needle in strawberries’ crisis concludes the series, with special guest Rachel Mackenzie (now executive director of Berries Australia, formerly of Growcom) sharing her valuable insights into what the mushroom industry can learn from this experience.
Podcast funded through the levy project MU20006, Mushroom industry crisis and reputation risk management.
MU20006 - Podcast episode 2
Keeping control of a potentially industry-damaging story in a complex media landscape can be challenging, but not impossible, if everyone works together to prevent an issue becoming a crisis.
In episode 2 of the series, Patrick and Clare cite examples of types of issues specific to the mushroom industry, including product relates risks (that can impact food safety) and people related risks (e.g., seasonal work force related issues, industry ‘cowboys’ or disgruntled employees).
Podcast funded through the levy project MU20006, Mushroom industry crisis and reputation risk management.
It’s a wrap on MU16003 Pest and disease management and research services
Like all crops, mushroom yields can be adversely impacted by pests and diseases. However, mushrooms lack protective skins, as well as the defence compounds often produced by parent plants. Moreover, treating disease with fungicide is clearly problematic for a fungus! Added to this is a short cropping cycle, leaving little time to treat diseases mid cycle.
Prevention is better than cure very much applies here.
The team have researched and collated information on current and emerging mushroom pests and pathogens, as well as how to recognise, treat and manage them.
Research projects focussed on critical areas that would have the greatest impact on effective pest and disease management strategies, including:
Improving management of foot dips
Getting the best from cookout
Mushroom Virus X Syndrome - Patch Disease and Brown Cap Mushroom Disease
Syzygites megalocarpus – Troll Doll
Internal Stipe Necrosis
Grower engagement was a top priority over the five years, with considerable effort taken to encourage uptake of the resources and expertise that was being made available.
Despite COVID-19 disruptions, ten face-to-face workshops were delivered over five states, attracting attendees from nearly 50% of levy-paying farms. There were also numerous “phone a friend” online consultations.
Workshop topics included mushroom pathology 101, dry bubble biology and management, vectors, spot treatment training, cobweb biology and management, and on farm sampling.
Four on-farm visits allowed the team to examine vulnerabilities of different farms to pests and diseases; these visits highlighted disease hotspots and assisted farms to develop better management strategies.
A key activity of the project team has been to maintain and update the AGORA website, making it the central library of mushroom pest, disease and hygiene information. Hundreds of resources are available, including both locally produced fact sheets and articles and publications from around the world. There are also videos demonstrating sampling methods, spot treatments and pest and disease identification.
The information on AGORA provides an invaluable industry asset for understanding and managing not just pest and diseases, but the important roles of compost quality, farm hygiene and other factors.
Having such information available through AGORA has helped numerous farms manage their way through serious diseases.
Note that access to AGORA is password protected – please contact Judy Allan or Leah Bramich to obtain a login.
Information for this article has been sourced from articles and fact sheets published through the AMGA by Judy Allan and Warwick Gill, and the MU16003 final report.
This is an abridged version of the article that will appear in the magazine
A new diagnostic tool gives growers the upper hand in controlling disease
A mushroom industry-funded project has delivered a commercially available early disease detection service which has revolutionised the way growers manage disease.
Growers can now identify disease early, whether in compost, grow room, or the crop itself, facilitating timely action to manage diseases and minimise losses.
Samples being prepared for PCR testing
For example, the system can identify Trichoderma aggressivum, a species of green mould that is highly damaging to yield but nearly impossible to distinguish visually from other less serious green moulds.
Interestingly, the PCR test used to detect Trichoderma uses the same technology as the gold standard PCR test for detecting COVID-19.
The PCR test can also identify Dry Bubble (Lecanicillium fungicola), Cobweb (Cladobotryum sp.) and Bacterial Blotch. All four diseases are included in the same testing ‘panel’, meaning that a single test can detect any of the diseases above in any one sample provided.
The results from a single sample give a positive or negative for a range of species (see Table 1), as well as an indication of how much disease is present.
Quick turnaround of test results, early detection before symptoms are evident, and cost-effectiveness are all major benefits of the new testing service.
The PCR-based testing service was developed by a Hort Innovation project (MU12007) and is now fully operational.
The development team was led by Associate Professor Michael Kertesz from the University of Sydney. Partners included AusDiagnostics, who provided the PCR delivery platform, and disease experts Judy Allan and Dr Warwick Gill. Trials were carried out by the Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Unit (MLMRU).
The project was managed by Applied Horticultural Research (AHR) who are now also providing the testing service commercially from their Sydney laboratory.
Trichoderma (left) and dry bubble (right) are just two of the diseases that can be tested for using the PCR testing service
The diseases which can be detected using the PCR testing service developed by Hort Innovation project MU12007 are:
Cobweb - Cladobotryum mycophilum (Hypomyces odoratus)
Lecanicillium spp.
Dry bubble - Lecanicillium fungicola (Verticillium fungicola)
Trichoderma spp.
Green mould - Trichoderma aggressivum
Bacterial blotch - Pseudomonas tolaasii and Pseudomonas gingeri
Testing and control measures on farm are effective at controlling disease
The mushroom disease testing service has already proved popular, with over 5,000 samples processed since August 2020.
As well as identifying disease, testing after cookout can provide vital information on whether control measures taken at the farm have been effective.
AHR has seen some encouraging trends in the testing results, showing that PCR testing for disease, coupled with corrective action, is effective at controlling disease.
AHR principal, Dr Gordon Rogers says “Farms using this service see a steady decline in positives for diseases they are targeting.”
“This means the control measures on farms are working, and testing is confirming their effectiveness.”
AHR employee Samali Perera runs mushroom samples through the PCR machine
How to get your samples tested
PCR testing, developed during the Hort Innovation project, is now being offered as a commercial service by AHR, using a methodology commercialised by AusDiagnostics.
The PCR technique is highly sensitive at detecting diseases. A sample containing even the smallest amount of the disease can usually be detected before any symptoms are evident in the crop.
Very importantly, the way the sample is collected is critical.
A video produced by Judy Allan and Warwick Gill demonstrates how to collect samples for disease testing from growing rooms, equipment, work areas, mushroom caps and compost. Click here to view the video or visit the AGORA website for both the video and appropriate control measures.
To test for the presence of Trichoderma, Cobweb, Dry Bubble or Blotch disease, send your samples by express post to the AHR diagnostic laboratory in Sydney to:
Applied Horticultural Research
PO Box 917 Alexandria NSW 1435
For more information on how to collect and send samples to the laboratory, visit the AHR website https://ahr.com.au/mushroom-disease-diagnosis-service
This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the mushroom research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.
Grassroots Product Sampling and Events
By Leah Bramich. AMGA
Cambride Markets – Sydney
To continue to drive top of mind awareness, a levy-funded, AMGA-run Grassroots Product Demonstrations and Events Program is underway to support local growers by driving demand within communities in which they live and work.
The program has developed ‘hyper local’ product sampling events to drive the uptake of mushrooms in both regional and metro markets, providing delicious product samples and promoting “Add the Mighty Mushie” to position mushrooms as an essential ingredient for enhanced taste and health.
The AMGA have selected Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast for activations, along with 15 regional areas which align with grower locations. A total of 23 product sampling events are being activated around the nation.
To efficiently roll out the product demonstration and sampling events remotely, local radio stations were engaged to design their version of a ‘Hyper local event’ with preferences given to local foodie festivals, farmers markets, restaurants, or independent green grocers, with mushroom samples cooked by professional chefs. In Ballarat, a former MasterChef contestant will cook ‘Mushroom toasties', in Adelaide, well know chef, restaurateur and former MasterChef Callum Hann will cook live on stage at the Adelaide Markets, and in Perth, seaside café Odyssea will include a mushroom on toast item to their menu for the week, inviting listeners to try it.
Each regional event is accompanied with a live broadcast or street team event, and a hefty radio campaign to support it, with reach amplified via the station’s social media channels. Taking simple product sampling to the next level, all events include a product sampling element and mushroom giveaways, and the opportunity for mushroom growers to be personally involved in the grassroots promotion.
Metro events have been selected in premium markets with high traffic. The 3-day Melbourne event at Queen Victoria Market reported 1760 mushrooms on toast samples provided, with 2250 interactions. A huge impact!
Local Grower Involvement
Local growers will be invited to take part in their regions event, as many have a long history of being active in their local community, active with local media and have long-standing relationships with local businesses.
In regions where there are multiple growers, AMGA will need to manage relationships carefully to ensure each grower is represented equally, and no preferences are shown.
Managed by the AMGA, Local Growers will be invited to:
Be interviewed on-air about the mushroom growing process
Provide free mushrooms for product sampling and giveaways
Provide a display, showing the mushrooms growing process
Facilitate open days/ Farm tours
While local growers are invited to take part, all messaging will remain with the “Australian Mushrooms” brand and all promotional efforts will link back to the Australian Mushrooms channels.
While all activations were booked to deliver in FY22 (and some have indeed have been deployed), Hort Innovation and the AMGA made the decision to put the program on hold due to the supply shortage. The program is now booked for late July and August.
Regional Radio Events
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Star 106.3 – 4hr street team event 0730-1130 from Willows Sunday Markets. Chef cooking elevated mushrooms on toast. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Hit 100.7 – Toowoomba Farmers market, 3hr outside broadcast. Chef cooking mushrooms on toast. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Mix FM 97.3 – Erbachers independent greengrocer (46yrs), 3hr outside broadcast 1500-1800. Chef cooking mushrooms on toast. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Hot Tomato – HOTA Farmers Markets, 3hr outside broadcast 0800-1100. Chef cooking mushrooms on toast. Inc. Advertising schedule
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3BA – Tim Bones (Masterchef) at Ballarat Markets cooking mushroom toasties, 2hr outside broadcast 1000-1200. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Hit 91.9 – Heathcote on Show, 3hr outside broadcast 0900-1200. Chef cooking Mushroom Bruschetta. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Edge FM – 4hr live broadcast 0900-1300 from Fruits n Fare independent grocer. Chef cooked mushrooms on toast Inc. Advertising schedule
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Hit 104.9 – Albury Wodonga Farmers Markets. 4hr street team with live crosses 0800-1200 – Chef from Smart Hospitality Inc. Advertising schedule
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Hit 101.3 – Terrigal Beach Markets. 2hr pop up event with live crosses. Chef to cook mushrooms on toast. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Hit 106.9 – Newcastle Food and Flower Markets, Sandgate. 2hr outside broadcast 1000-1200 and chef. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Mix FM – 2hr roadside activation 1000-1200. Location TBC Inc. Advertising schedule
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Power 94.9 – Easts and Eats Event. 2hr pop up event, late afternoon. Chef cooking mushrooms on toast. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Nova – Callum Hann (Masterchef) 2hr cooking demonstration. Location TBC, likely the new food hall. Inc. Advertising schedule
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Nova – Odyssea restaurant featuring mushroom bruschetta on menu for a week. 2hr live cross event with chefs providing mushroom samples. Inc. Advertising schedule
METRO PRODUCT SAMPLING EVENTS
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Sampling events held at the Adelaide Central Markets for 3 consecutive Thursdays:
• 26 May 2022
• 2 June 2022
• 11 June 2022
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Sampling events held at the Queen Victoria Markets for 3 consecutive days. Each event is 9hrs.
• Thurs 30 June 2022
• Fri 1 July 2022
• Sat 2 July 2022
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Two Sampling events held Cambridge Markets events. Each event is 6hrs
• 12 June 2022
• 28 August 2022 “Christmas in July” (Postponed event)
Mushrooms on Toast set to Infiltrate Café Culture
By Leah Bramich. AMGA
An excellent opportunity exists for mushrooms to leverage current vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, meat-reducing, plant-forward, superfood and sustainability diet trends, and to become the next hero ingredient on breakfast, brunch, and lunch café menus.
It’s safe to say that you can walk into almost any café in Australia and order smashed avocado on toast.
Smashed avo’s rise to fame is tied to the wellness movement. This global sensation began more than two decades ago and was driven by consumer demand for less processed, and more fresh, healthy, and plant-forward meals; reasons which are still relevant today.
The AMGA are leading a new Foodservice Program to “infiltrate café culture” to influence cafés to replace smashed avo on their menu - with Mushrooms on Toast.
Mushrooms on Toast is similar to the smashed avo in its simplicity, while allowing cafes to get creative. It’s a quick and easy meat-free menu option for diners, with great ‘value add’ options for cafés to increase their profit margins.
Yet while smashed avo is served raw, mushrooms require cooking; typically in one of two ways - either sautéed or roasted.
A successful and desirable mushroom dish depends on how well the mushrooms are cared for during the cooking processes. Mushrooms have a high-water content, which can easily become ‘mooshie’ - therefore it’s imperative that café kitchen staff learn how to cook the mighty mushroom properly.
A key element in the Australian Mushrooms Café Culture Foodservice program is the educational tool kit. We are on a mission to ‘ban the mooshie mushie’ by teaching café kitchen staff mushroom 101 – how to choose, prep, store and cook a great mushroom dish, while enticing café owners and staff to add mushrooms to menus with a huge prize incentive.
Through this Foodservice Program, the AMGA will influence café culture by:
Scope the Foodservice industry –Food Industry Foresight have been engaged to offer detailed insight into the café sector through hard data and qualitative and quantitative industry surveys. These reports are invaluable to understanding the sector, how to educate, and how to influence menus.
Engage industry to co-design and collaborate – A Project Reference Group of café owners and food industry experts was engaged to ensure the program and educational materials have relevance.
Cooking Education – Educational videos, a ‘My Mushroom Toast’ educational booklet and café recipes with detailed profit projections were produced. These resources are housed on the new food service section of the Australian Mushrooms website and will be used in remarketing to teach and inspire cafés.
Health Education – Educating café staff of the unique health benefits of mushrooms, and to instil mushrooms as the hero ingredient for meat-free/vegan/vegetarian/flexitarian/plant-forward menu options.
Inspire menu change – Directly engage cafés through a social media competition, open to both consumers and café owners. The café major prize incentive is $10,000 for Australia’s best Mushrooms on Toast. The competition is designed to build hype as well as creating a community for mushroom menu inspiration.
Make mushrooms famous – Through a media launch and hefty PR campaign, to garner both paid and earned media to increase reach.
Monitor and evaluate – Survey the industry pre and post program, to show the effectiveness of the campaign.
The program has been researched, designed and is ready to go, however, Hort Innovation and the AMGA made the decision to put the program on hold until the current shortage is resolved. The program aims to deploy in late August through to October 2022.