In the realm of mushroom farming, managing pests is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and ensuring bountiful harvests. Nematodes, have emerged as a popular biological control agent against a variety of pests, including scriarids, phorids and other soil-dwelling insects. However, integrating nematodes with other plant protection substances requires careful consideration to maximize their effectiveness and sustain the delicate balance of the farm ecosystem.

Understanding Nematodes as Biological Control Agents
Nematodes used in pest control are generally entomopathogenic, meaning they infect and kill insect pests. Species such as Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are commonly utilized. These beneficial nematodes search out and enter their host insects, releasing symbiotic bacteria that kill the pests from inside. This biological approach is highly targeted, minimizing harm to non-target organisms and the environment.

Compatibility with Chemical Pesticides
Nematodes can be tank mixed and jointly used with many substances and chemicals without problem. They are delivered in a Dauerjuveniles status (a bit like a hibernation status). Therefore, there is little interaction with their surroundings which allow a broad range of mixtures.

To ensure compatibility, e-nema provides a comprehensive list of the compatibility of nematodes with other plant protection products. The list can be downloaded free of charge from the e-nema website.

Please use this list to further simplify and further widen the usage of nematodes. If you come across chemicals and substance which are not on this list, please contact e-nema and they will investigate on it.

Conclusion
For mushroom farmers, nematodes represent a potent ally in pest management. And their biology allows a wide use with various chemicals and substances. A lot of work has been done to list the most commonly used chemicals and their ability to mix with beneficial nematodes.

       

Mushroom growers worldwide face the same problem: there are times during cultivation when the compost exhibits either more or less activity than desired. This can happen right after filling the compost, during ventilation, or if the compost temperature rises too quickly during the first flush, which can severely impact mushroom quality.

Most farms have this under control, but each grower must find the optimal formula for their own operation. This principle can be compared to a balance: if you change something on one side, you must adjust the other side to maintain equilibrium.

The entire process starts with filling the compost in the room. There are a few important factors to consider at this stage. The moisture content and structure of the compost are crucial for the expected activity right after filling. Dry compost with a lot of structure will show high activity immediately after filling. This compost should always be filled thicker to achieve the desired kilograms per square meter. This extra thickness is mainly filled with air, which acts as a buffer for heat.

Once the compost becomes active, this air warms up and is very difficult to cool down again. Compact it as firmly as possible. For wet compost with little structure, do the opposite: fill it loosely and avoid watering immediately after filling.

Mycelium Growth during incubation
If everything proceeds normally during the growth phase of the compost, the first signs of activity can be seen around day 9 after spawning. This activity increases as the compost continues to grow. By day 15, the compost should be fully colonized, and activity will start to decrease. If, for some reason, the compost needs to be covered or removed from the tunnel earlier, this activity will continue in the growing rooms. At that point, controlling this activity becomes very difficult because the casing soil acts like a blanket, retaining heat in the compost. In such cases, keep the air temperature in the room very low to maintain the compost temperature at 26°C. This will also cool the casing soil, preventing mycelium growth in it.

Supplementing
Supplementing the compost provides extra activity. The level of activity depends on the type and amount of supplement used. Typically, 15 kilograms of supplement per 1,000 kilograms of phase 3 compost yields optimal results. However, this depends greatly on the compost. If the compost has a high nitrogen content, 15 kilograms might be too much. Supplementing is an excellent way to increase both the quantity and quality of mushrooms, but the compost must be free of competitive mold infections. Infected compost can react negatively to supplements because these are also food sources for competitive molds, which can harm the mycelium or mushrooms, negating any benefits of supplementation.

Filling Weight
Filling weight is a crucial factor for compost activity and significantly affects the total mushroom yield. Generally, a 10% increase in compost results in a 10% increase in mushrooms. This is true, but the climate unit must be able to manage the additional compost. Again, it's about balancing the ability to handle increased activity with the potential yield benefits.

As you can see, the desired but sometimes troublesome activity of compost depends on many factors. Literature provides ideal filling weights, but in practice, it varies from farm to farm. Growers must determine the ideal ratios for their specific operations.

Total Mushroom Service
Jeroen van Lier

Why RibbStyle is attending ‘India Mushroom Days’: A peek into our goals and aspirations

As we gear up for India Mushroom Days, we're excited to share the reasons why this event is so important to us, and why we think it will be equally valuable for you, our readers and visitors. This isn’t just another industry event for us; it’s a pivotal opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together in the ever-evolving world of mushrooms. Here’s what we’re looking forward to:

Showcasing our unique products
One of the key reasons we’re attending is to introduce our innovative products to a broader audience. We believe in the exceptional qualities of our offerings, that our products stand out, and there's no better place to demonstrate this than at India Mushroom Days. Some unique qualities are;

Contamination
The main reasons why our vapourtight coatings are used in this industry is for the prevention of diseases and contamination. RibbStyle coatings create a vapour tight layer, meaning that bacteria are confined to one and the same room.

Hygiene
Another important reason why our products are used is because of the improvement of hygiene and work space. Where normally the growing rooms are dark and grey, RibbStyle coatings make them white and cleanable. Finally, Ribbstyle coatings protect the compost tunnels and growing rooms against steam, heat and moisture. Without a vapourtight coating, this enters through the porous walls into the construction. Therefore, we make sure the isolation value of the tunnels and growing rooms stay protected.

Building valuable relationships
Networking is another top priority for us. India Mushroom Days offers an excellent platform to meet potential customers, business partners, and industry peers. We’re eager to engage in meaningful conversations, forge new relationships, and explore exciting collaborations. This event is also a great opportunity for us to tap into new markets and expand our business horizons. So, if you’re looking to connect, let’s start a conversation!

Strengthening our brand presence
In a rapidly growing industry like ours, brand recognition is vital. By showcasing our products and sharing our vision, we hope to reinforce our brand’s reputation and expand our reach within the industry.

Gathering insights and feedback
Your feedback is invaluable to us. We want to know what you think about our products, what catches your eye, and what questions you might have. This kind of direct input helps us fine-tune our offerings and ensures that we continue to meet the evolving needs of our market. Your opinions matter, and we’re here to listen.

Staying inspired and ahead of trends
Finally, India Mushroom Days is an invaluable source of inspiration. We’re eager to see what other exhibitors are showcasing, discover the latest trends, and learn about new innovations in the mushroom industry. Staying informed and inspired is crucial to our business strategy, and this event is the perfect place to do just that.

We, Tamara Flore, Ravindra Gundawar-Ravi , Vrunda Walwadkar invite you to visit us at Stand Number B5 to explore, connect, and be inspired.

Recently we, Mushroom Matter, had the pleasure of visiting Christiaens Group in Horst in the Netherlands. During the visit, we were given a tour by Roland van Doremaele, the sales manager who has been with the company for 21 years. What stood out immediately was the strong focus on craftsmanship and the down-to-earth Dutch mentality that characterizes this family business.

A family business with a rich history
Christiaens Group started to make machineries early 70’s, starting as a modest company rooted in strawberry and asparagus farming. The business initially grew around a simple machine for washing, trimming, and manually sorting asparagus. This machine laid the foundation for what would later grow into a global leader in the mushroom and compost industry.

The Christiaens brothers, with their technical expertise and innovative spirit propelled the company forward, especially when they ventured into the mushroom world by developing a filling machine for a mushroom farmer in closeby. With each growing demand for their machines, their reputation further strengthened, leading to exports and collaborations with various suppliers in construction and climate control. This helped Christiaens Group develop a broad expertise, enabling them to realize complete projects.

Growth and development
In the mid-1990s, Christiaens Group B.V. was officially established, with a clear focus on delivering turnkey projects for the mushroom sector.

Initially, the company had operations spread across four locations in Limburg. However, in 2003, they consolidated all activities into a single site in Horst, improving efficiency and collaboration.

An important aspect of their expansion was the creation of separate business units. The Agro division was fully spun off and now operates independently under the name Christiaens Agro Systems. Additionally, other branches within the group specialize in organic solids composting, mycelium cultivation and animal manure, demonstrating the company’s diverse expertise beyond just mushrooms.

Today, Christiaens Group employs around 110 people, with approximately another 150 people working through subcontractors. The headquarters is based in Horst and Christiaens Group has since about 10 years also a production location in China.

Comprehensive solutions and product offerings
Christiaens Group has become a global leader by offering complete turnkey solutions for mushroom farms, composting facilities and mycelium farms. Their services cover every aspect of the process, ensuring that clients receive a fully integrated solution, from design to implementation.

“What makes Christiaens Group truly unique is that all our solutions are designed and produced entirely in-house. This level of control allows us to ensure the highest quality from start to finish. While we’re known for handling large-scale projects, we’re also fully equipped to take on smaller projects and provide by example individual machines, hydraulic lorries or airhandling systems, making our expertise accessible to a wide range of clients.” — says Roland.

Their key solutions include:

• Engineering: The setup and engineering of complete projects in the mushroom and waste industries.
• Construction: Expertise in constructing mushroom farms and composting plants, ensuring durability and efficiency.
• Technical Installation: Installation of air handling systems, technical installations for climate control, and odor management solutions.
• Controls: Advanced control technology for managing all processes in mushroom cultivation and compost production.
• Machines: Design and production of high-quality machinery for compost production and mushroom cultivation

Christiaens Group's product portfolio includes:

• Composting systems:
  • Phase 1 bunkers
  • Phase 1 tunnels
  • Phase 2/3 tunnels
    
    
• Growing Systems:
  • Dutch shelving system
  • Tilting system
  • Drawer system
    
    
• Organic Waste Composting:
  • Composting systems
  • Odour management technologies
    •
• Mycelium Cultivation:
  • Mycelium growing systems
  • Substrate preparation
  • Product handling systems

Innovation and sustainability as core values
Innovation and sustainability are key at Christiaens Group. They understand that it is important to produce high-quality mushrooms and compost while using as few natural resources as possible. Therefore, they continuously work on new concepts that improve harvesting efficiency, energy efficiency, and safety.

A good example of their commitment to sustainability is the investment in 20,000 m2 solar panels on their premises, allowing them to operate completely energy neutral and with use of heatpumps without gas for heating the building. This not only contributes to lower energy costs but also to a cleaner environment.

Christiaens Group is focused on technological innovation in mushroom harvesting. Due to global labor shortages, they have partnered with a specialist in robotics, to develop an advanced robotic solution for harvesting mushrooms in their Drawer System. This collaboration came about with great interest during the Dutch Mushroom Days in spring 2023, the largest event in the mushroom sector.

Christiaens Group collaborated with Heereco, a pioneer in organic mushroom cultivation in the Netherlands, to implement one of the first fully automated solutions for mushroom harvesting in the fresh market. This system integrates Christiaens' future-proof Drawer System with an advanced robotic technology. The result is a revolutionary automated harvesting process that significantly increases productivity and reduces labor dependency while enhancing the quality of the mushrooms. The system also includes advanced automation in the packaging process, ensuring consistency and efficiency from harvest to shipment.

Mycelium products
Christiaens Group is also the technical partner of Mycelium Materials Europe (MME), a Dutch start-up founded in 2018. MME is active in the bio-based materials and circular economy, producing sustainable mycelium materials based on mushroom technology. Mycelium, the underground network of fungi, is grown in MME’s own mushroom farm using organic waste such as sawdust from sawmills. These mycelium materials are biodegradable and are used by designers, the construction industry, and the fashion industry.

Christiaens Group’s partnership with MME highlights their commitment to sustainability and innovation, extending their expertise beyond traditional mushroom and compost production into emerging sectors focused on eco-friendly materials.

A Company with a future
During our visit to Christiaens Group, it quickly became clear that this is more than just a business—it’s a family rooted in tradition, with a constant eye on the future. The company’s long-term success is built on ongoing investments in innovation, sustainability, and global growth. This approach allows them to maintain their leadership in the mushroom, compost and mycelium industry while staying grounded in the values that have defined them for decades.

"Many of our team members have been with us for decades—it’s not uncommon to celebrate work anniversaries of over 25 years.” says Roland van Doremaele. "It’s this passion, combined with the company’s welcoming culture, that creates such strong employee loyalty. “

With a down-to-earth attitude, a commitment to quality, and a focus on both people and progress, Christiaens Group is more than prepared to take on the challenges of the future.

Armen Gogyan is originally from Armenia, but for the past 19 years he has lived with his family in the United Arab Emirates, with a four-year break between 2009 and 2013. He recently moved to the Netherlands where he now works at Mush Comb, a company in the mushroom industry. His choice for this new challenge was mainly inspired by the location and focus of the company. With his eleven years of experience in a mushroom farm in the UAE, he felt a strong connection with Mush Comb's customer-oriented approach. He feels valued, almost like a customer within the company.

In his role as Senior Sales Manager, Armen is determined to discover new opportunities that can further diversify Mush Comb's market position. He is primarily focused on expanding the company's reach by developing strong after-sales support, identifying new markets and acquiring new customers.

After only a few weeks of working at Mush Comb, Armen already experiences a strong bond with his colleagues. Despite being part of a multicultural team, he feels like a family member within the company. The management is incredibly supportive, open to questions and new ideas, which is the best motivation for him. Every morning he starts his day at home with a cup of coffee, always eager to get to the office as quickly as possible.

Outside of work he enjoys walking and watching and playing football and snooker. He also has a passion for learning new languages, he's currently working on Dutch. His love for mushrooms goes so far that you can wake him up in the middle of the night for a soup with oyster mushrooms or stuffed portobello mushrooms from the barbecue.

Of course he has also made the occasional blunder. For example, he once accidentally started the automatic sprinkler system at the farm while the pickers were still harvesting mushrooms. If he could change one thing about himself, it would be his tendency to trust people too much, although he finds it difficult to be otherwise.

As a child, Armen dreamed of having his own company, producing something and watching it grow like his own "child."

We asked him about his biggest fear? “Heights”, he answered. Luckily nothing to do with mushrooms!

When you hear the word "mushroom," what comes to mind? Do you simply picture the small fungi you pass by during a hike, barely noticing them as you walk through the woods. Or do you think of the rich, savory flavors they bring to your favorite dishes? Whatever your association, September - the National Mushroom Month - is the perfect time to discover just how remarkable mushrooms truly are.

Despite their simplicity, mushrooms are incredibly versatile. They add a rich umami flavor to dishes, stretch your grocery budget by enhancing meals and offer solutions to some of today's biggest challenges. In a world where sustainability and health are increasingly important, mushrooms stand out as a natural answer. Mushrooms have a unique ability to clean up environmental pollutants, including the ability to absorb radiation from contaminated soil.

They are also vigorous of nutrients, notably rich in Vitamin D, essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Beyond their nutritional value, mushrooms possess a variety of medicinal properties. Some species are known for their vibrant, natural dyes, while others have been recognized for their potential anti-cancer benefits.

As we celebrate National Mushroom Month, we encourage you to explore and share the wonders of these humble fungi with your network. Whether you're discussing their #culinairuses, #healthbenefits, or #environmentalimpact, there's no shortage of fascinating facts to spread!

Dutch Trading Office (DTO BV) is part of the CNC Group as of 16 August 2024.
CNC Holding BV and DTO BV have joined forces to boost their international growth ambitions in the substrate market for edible mushrooms.

On 16 August 2024 CNC Group announced that it acquired the shares of DTO BV. The companies are aiming for a strong partnership that will stimulate their growth ambitions in the export of products and services related to the cultivation of edible mushrooms.

The acquisition of DTO marks a unique milestone in the growth strategy of CNC Group and reflects its aim for optimisation and flexibility in substrate production and the continued development of the group’s export position in the global market. DTO supplies substrate to mushrooms farms around the world. Thanks to a patented loading concept, the company is able to maintain an optimal quality of mushroom substrate during transport. The joint expertise of CNC Group and DTO will result in a strong synergy and a broader range of high-quality products and services for all clients.

“This acquisition underlines the strategic focus of CNC Group to strengthen its global export activities and realise long-term growth. We want to continue to operate with a focus on the globally increasing consumption of edible mushrooms. We are very pleased with the added expertise provided by the DTO team and are happy to welcome them to CNC group,” says Eric van Asselt, CEO of CNC Group.

“DTO has clients in 40 countries and employs 15 people. As we want to continue our growth and boost our innovative strength, we are pleased to have the unique opportunity to join forces with CNC in our company’s 30th year,” says Robert Klinkenberg, Managing Director of DTO BV.

Clients are assured of the continued high quality of DTO’s products. The merger of activities will give clients worldwide access both to the superior substrate they are familiar with and to a broader portfolio of products and technical support that will help them optimise their own results.

DTO will continue its current operations and development under the familiar leadership of its Managing Director Robert Klinkenberg.

About CNC (Circular Natural Compost):
CNC Group is a leading group of companies focused on high-quality substrate, mushroom and mycelium solutions for the European and global market. Its daily activities are aimed to contribute to healthy food for millions of consumers worldwide and to boost the circular economy at the same time. The company has over 300 employees in seven cultivation and production locations, and its success is based on over 70 years of superior expertise and innovative strength. The internationally operating group consists of the following companies: CNC Grondstoffen BV, CNC Exotic Mushrooms BV, AMCO, Verbruggen Paddestoelen BV, Verbruggen Substraat BV and Veme Specials BV in the Netherlands and HolPol Compost Sp. z o.o in Poland.

About DTO BV:
The origins of DTO lie in the town of Deurne, where the company started some 30 years ago. The company’s mission was always to transport mushroom compost worldwide without compromising quality during transport. Throughout the years, DTO developed an innovative method to realise this goal. As a result, it soon attracted clients worldwide, from Japan to Dubai and from Malta to Guatemala. Despite its growth, DTO continued to provide its superior quality, both in its products and in its services, making it a reliable and high-valued partner to many growers around the world.