On October 8, staffs working in Tianping Mushroom Base of Tianping Town, Yuping County, Guizhou Province of China are plunging into the picking, airing and packing work of Agrocybe cylindracea.
Operated in January, 2018, Tianping Mushroom Base carries 22.264 million CNY of gross input and occupies 100 mu of area, up to now, 43 steel-frame mushroom greenhouses that absorb 1.8 million bags have been built within the base.
“From January to now, 5 times of fruiting have been realized, gross mushroom production totaled over 800,000 kg and total production value hit above 6.1 million CNY,” said related principal passionately, continuing that in 2019, Tianping Mushroom Base proposes to expand the scale, annually input 3.8 million bags so as to achieve the projected annual production value of 21 million CNY while it also plans to lead at least 100 masses to embark on this promising industry.

hiitake is an edible mushroom which is mostly used in Japanese and Chinese cooking where it grows naturally. For centuries the mushroom has been grown in the far east and is praised for its healing abilities. Shiitake mushroom contains vitamin B and C, resulting in the increase of the natural resistance of the human body and it is also known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
The global Shiitake mushroom market has witnessed constant demand during the last few years and is projected to reach USD 35.4 billion at a CAGR of 15.31% by 2023. Moreover, increasing popularity of Shiitake mushroom in cosmetics is adding fuel to the growth of Shiitake mushroom. High consumption of Shiitake mushroom in Asia Pacific, mainly in China is influencing the market growth since last few years.
Shiitake mushrooms are like Portabella in that they have a meaty flavor and texture and are best cooked. When cooked, Shiitakes release a garlic-pine aroma and have a rich, earthy, umami flavor. It was also a surprise to discover that Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of protein, good enough to replace beef even.
China is hailed as The World’s Largest Mushroom Producer And Exporter. According to statistical data displayed by CIEDATA, from January to June of 2018, China’s gross export on dried mushroom totaled 96,795 tons, up 25.7%. And, since 2014, mushroom export has been revealing a steady growth in China.
On aspect of export value, from January to June of 2018, China’s gross export value on dried mushroom hit 161.593 million CNY, up 37.1%.

Fungi can be used to break down waste plastic and create sustainable building materials, according to scientists from Kew Gardens in London.

The State of the World's Fungi 2018 report – the first of its kind – highlights the aspergillus tubingensis fungus, found in a Pakistani rubbish tip and first documented in 2017. It claims this substance can break down plastic in weeks rather than years.

Researchers say it could be used to deal with the global plastic-waste crisis, which has caused concern in the design industry and beyond.

Aspergillus tubingensis can grow on the surface of plastics, where it secretes enzymes that break the chemical bonds between plastic molecules.

"This ability thus has potential to be developed into one of the tools desperately needed to address the growing environmental problem of plastic waste," reads the report.

For the full report, please click here