As a mushroom and compost consultant, I receive more questions from clients who have already searched for answers using ChatGPT. Often, they are not looking for a new solution, but for verification of what they have found online. This already shows how widely AI tools are being used in our industry. I use ChatGPT myself on a regular basis. It helps me write reports and articles that are clearer and easier to read, and its English is certainly better than my own “Dunglish” (20% Dutch, 80% English).

For collecting information about composting or growing issues, ChatGPT often provides useful insights. The answers are not always fully correct or directly applicable in practice, but they usually point in the right direction and help identify which area needs further investigation.

Modern mushroom production requires precise control of both composting and growing processes. Small variations in raw materials, fermentation, climate, or handling can have a significant impact on yield and quality.
While practical experience and on-site expertise remain essential, digital tools such as ChatGPT can support growers and consultants with faster analysis and better-structured decision-making. In cooperation with a compost and growing consultant, ChatGPT functions mainly as a knowledge-management and support tool. Combined with biological understanding and field experience, this approach can help improve compost consistency, crop stability, and overall production results.

Total Mushroom Service
Jeroen van lier
( 80%) Chat GPT (20%)

Picking mushrooms is more than just removing them from the beds. The handling and picking the right mushrooms is vital. Creating space to allow them to grow bigger is not only for yield. A mushroom with enough space has better evaporation and will hold the quality better, longer and will have a better shelf life as well. Handling of mushrooms can affect quality and shelf life.

On September 8, in mushroom base of Tianyuan Town, Changning County, Yunnan Province of China, Reishi mushrooms are showing lovely and desirable growth trend, farmers are plunged into routine management work.

“Reishi mushroom is categorized into a kind of wood-rotting fungi. Now, the base absorbs 150 sheds that occupy 70 mu of area, and the expected gross production on Reishi mushroom spores powder could reach at least 30 tons while the anticipated production value could hit 3.5 million CNY. Next step, we plan to spread the artificial cultivation technology of Reishi mushroom to surrounding farmers, help drive them increase earnings and become affluent,” introduces owner of the base passionately, adding that Reishi mushrooms are aerobic, during the growth period of sporocarps, strong ventilation is undoubtedly needed. And, illumination is also indispensable on inducing the formation of sporocarps, growth of stipe and cap.