Effect of Compost on White Button Mushrooms

Effect of Compost on White Button Mushrooms ElisaBeth Shrom General Mushroom Information and Life Cycle A mushroom’s scientific name is Agaricus campestris. Mushrooms have been known for thousands of years as a food, medicine, and even to create â€Å"spiritual visions† (i.e. â€Å"magic mushrooms†) This mysterious organism, often thrown into the same category as plants, is actually another species altogether. An entire underground world remains unseen to the human eye, yet has the unbelievable power to change the world, one ecosystem at a time. Mushroom production begins in spores or â€Å"seeds,† (not the technical term,) are released from the gills of the mushroom underneath the cap. However, the mushrooms visible above ground are not the whole fungi; they are merely the fruiting bodies of an underground organism called fungi mycelium. Similar to vegetables like corn or potatoes, these fruiting bodies â€Å"fruit† slowly. When mushrooms fruit under the right conditions at the most beneficial site, they will produce there year after year. â€Å"It’s the reverse of photosynthesis. Mushrooms take in carbon and consume oxygen, while plants consume carbon dioxide, and create carbon and oxygen.† (Paul Stamets, founder of Fungi of Olympia, Wash. and author of six books on mushroom culture) Due to mushroom’s many benefits, this fungi is the only one humans cultivate intentionally. It is important to not assume a mushroom is healthy to consume from the wild, because many mushrooms are poisonous and it is difficult to tell poisonous types from others. When they are safe to eat, mushrooms play a huge role in keeping the human immune system healthy. Mushrooms are a simple addition to any household and require little work to produce a large quantity of a delicious ingredient for dinnertime. The major components to control while growing mushrooms at home are humidity and temperature. They thrive when the temperature starts at a humid 70 ° while the mycelium grows, then stays humid and around 55 ° and 60 ° F. Loose or bottled spawn or ready-to-go mushroom kits can be purchased from catalog companies to simplify and quicken the at home growth process. They come infused with the required nutrients and soil in a box, simply instructing the user to keep the topsoil moisturized and to store the box in a humid section Companies that produce huge amounts of mushrooms use marker assisted selection, an improved type of selection paired alongside classical mushroom breeding techniques. Other methods of increasing mycelium fungi production are being explored and implemented to modify and transform series of mushroom strains. Genetic transformation allows possibilities of genetic integration from efficient DNA traits of other strains or species to express themselves in one quality product. Mycelium Mycelium are thin, white, thread-like â€Å"roots† of fungi that must develop fully before any fruiting bodies become visible aboveground. Mycelia communicate signals from plant to plant. For example, it might send a chemical signal that a tree is sick that causes other trees nearby to build up their immune systems and avoid the same sickness. The largest known organism in the world is a 2,400 acre mycelium growth in Oregon, US. It is not unusual for a mycelium organism to stretch for miles under forests. Mushrooms are not the only ones with mycelium. In fact, most fungi grow with mycelium. Common household fungal systems recognizable to most are easily visible mycelia that provide an example for mushroom’s underground mycelium. Mycelia grows faster where there are less nutrients to search for a site rich in food. It grows slowly where its food is abundant so that it can extract the materials needed to stay alive. The explanation for mushrooms growing in â€Å"fairy rings† lies with mycelia. It grows in a donut ring shape, rather than a pie shaped, leaving an area drained of supplies to branch outward into new regions. â€Å" mushroom mycelium is hungry. It wants to run.† (Paul Stamets) The organism expands as spores germinate and produce hypha (aka, germ tube), which are similar to branches of a tree, except they are microscopic and grow outwards from other hypha. Hypha increase in growth only lengthwise the width stays around one one-hundredths of a millimetre around. They cross-connect, intertwining, which helps transport nutrients to where they need to be. Lots of hyphae grow in bundles, or mycelial cords and each species of fungi has a different type of branching pattern. In order to produce fertile mycelium, a network of cells with two nuclei fused in the cell and two spore mating types each are required. Meiosis of these non-sister cells produces a heterokaryotic mycelia. Single spore cultures can also produce mushrooms as long as one single spore â€Å"seed† has two mating types. In the big picture, mycelium restores the environment and neutralizes toxins with it’s natural digestion of nutrients. Some mushroom’s mycelia can digest recalcitrant bonds (bonds that are resistant to the breakdown of a substance into smaller, less toxic molecular bonds.) They can separate bonds in human-produced pollutants to keep the entire ecosystem thriving. Mycelia is able to transform polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from oil wastes or coal tar into food for itself. All types of fungi do this by releasing enzymes into the soil or surrounding area to break down polymers and absorb simple sugars from the waste into their hyphal walls. Mushrooms Breakdown Toxic Materials The discovery of mushrooms’ distinct ability to break down harmful toxins and pollutants has and will continue to benefit the environment. The fact that humans can play a huge role in creating a healthier ecosystem by treating toxics with mycelium has almost unlimited benefits. In 2003, the gas stations â€Å"Chevron† and â€Å"Texaco† were reported by over thirty-thousand angry Ecuadorians to dump eighteen and a half billion gallons of toxic waste into pits in Ecuador. This damaging act of spillage resulted in the flow of harmful poison into residents water systems, and injuring the environment in more ways than one. Research projects have been conducted on many sites to conclude how the disintegration of toxins is not unlike that of other materials. Fungi secrete enzymes that break down toxins in the same way they split wood and straw’s chemical bonds. In one project, two piles of toxic soils near an oil pit were treated with different substances. After a year, the soil with mycelium and substrate had invited worms and bugs to help restore the soil. There were no signs of crude, and the toxins had been completely neutralized. The pile that had not been treated with mycelium fungi was still very toxic, and had a crude odor and felt oily to the touch. This mycelium method proves effective on large scale oil spills from companies, and is a cheaper, more ideal answer to fuel wastes in backyards or farms. The conversion of waste to mushroom development, or mycoremediation, causes hundreds of environmental and community improvements to open up. Food is provided, jobs are created, family incomes are enhanced, the burning of waste is cut back. This helps lower air pollution, lessen forest fire danger, manage environmental cleanup, protect the mushrooms, and create opportunities to effectuate mushroom substrate for compost and bioremediation. Paul Stamets meant when he said, â€Å"Fungi govern the decomposition cycles, and make it possible for natural biological systems to operate. They are tremendous allies for the health of people and the planet.† Another huge use for fungi is to turn mushrooms themselves into a substrate for other plants. Mushroom substrates replenish humus and organic matter by cutting carbohydrates in the soil in half in as short a period as one week. Mushroom compost farms are helpful for the plant the mushroom substrate will be treating. It also helps in creating an outlet for the waste disposal of the materials put inside this nutritious plant formula. More productive composts are being searched for to mix substances in a substrate to support plant growth, eliminate toxins, and keep fungi surviving. The White Button Mushroom In the United States as of 2010, 90 percent of mushrooms consumed were white button mushrooms. They are simple to grow at home, and provide several important health benefits to the human body. White button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, are valuable medicinally, but are mostly known as â€Å"portobello† and used as a soup ingredient, pizza topping, or other consumption delectable. A study on an animal-model and cell-structure experiment at Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University concluded that white button mushrooms support natural killer cells. The researchers found that these particular mushrooms produce many antiviral proteins and other helpful enzymes that can repair or protect tissue. They also found that white button mushrooms dendritic (transport functioning) cells to mature from bone marrow. The dendritic cells synthesize T cells, which are white blood cells that recognize other foreign materials and transport the materials from the pathogens to defense system cells. Here, the immune system cells are activated by an enzyme and begin defending against pathogens. This defense function will, when successful, defend against diseases like the La France disease that attacks white button mushrooms, and sneak-attacks the mycelium without any surfacely visible symptoms. Ideal Growth Mediums for Mushrooms New and improved cultivation techniques and the improvement of composting have been able to increase the available cultivation area of mushrooms. As more and more mushroom farms experiment, each type of mushroom’s food has been discovered and brought to its greatest potential as a nutrient. The best types of nutrients required for mushroom growth include many of the same things plants, animals, and humans need as fuel like sugars, starches, cellulose, lignan, and nitrogen. To prepare mushroom spawn before it starts to grow mycelia, grain or non-waste plants are excellent sources. Straw, sawdust, and other mixtures in a compost make good alternatives, though. A diet of horse manure and straw mixed in with the soil site for growth provides the exact nutrients mushrooms need. This method is proved to work best if the compost is first turned three or four times for a week before it is used. Another compost method involves corncobs, straw, water, leaf mold, tankage, granite dust, rotted compost, and sand combined into a multi-ingredient compost for mushroom growth. These organic materials all work perfectly, and mostly every natural material that would be found rotting into the ground is useful to provide necessary nutrients. Chopped hay, chicken, bullocks, and horse manure, cereal straw, elephant grass, or sawdust will also provide enough nurture for the organism. Fermented horse manure and chopped tobacco stems are the fastest growing substrate for Agaricus bisporus spawn. Over one hundred fifty types of waste have been tested to grow mushrooms. Depending on the type of fungi, obviously different types of compost will create more health and growth opportunities, but mushrooms will only survive where their conditions for life are met.

Alcohol and its Effects Essay -- essays research papers

Alcohol and its Effects   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alcohol is a substance that has become a part of the social settings in today’s world. Many people can say they have drunk alcohol and most can even remember their first sip of beer. Whether it was given to us by our parents or at a social engagement, everyone has encountered alcohol in their lives. But as responsible people, have we ever stopped to realize that we are taking a drug in to our system that is both harmful and addictive? Alcohol affects a wide range of digestive-system disorders such as inflammation of pancreas and cirrhosis of the liver. The central and peripheral nervous systems can be permanently damaged causing blackouts, hallucinations, and extreme tremor may occur. As if the there was not enough effects from alcohol, vitamin deficiency is also one of the major effects cause by alcohol causing folate and thiamine deficiencies. Though there are a variety of drinking patterns and the range of injuries among alcohol abusers, some are mild an d can recover on their own with the right tools and techniques. Others are critical and need hospitalization and prolong rehabilitation with custodian supervision.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ten percent of the adult drinkers in the United States are considered alcoholics or at least they experience drinking problems to some degree. There is about 5% of ethyl alcohol in a beer, 7-14% in table wine, 20% in fortified wind such as Sherry, and 40% in distilled spirits a...

How Does the Writer of This Text Use Language and Grammar?

How does the writer of this text use language and grammar to shape the readers response? The author uses jargon, puns and compound sentences to shape his readers response. This is done by paying attention to his audience which is the readers of the Metro, which are public transport users. Also to his purpose which is to entertain his audience. Puns are used to give a light-hearted effect to entertain his audience. This is evident where the author says â€Å"A new musical talent spreads his wings†.This provides entertainment to his readers in the form of comedy. Additionally the words he uses acts as a metaphor, yet in this case the phrase is quite literal as he is talking about a fly. This quite an effective pun. The use of puns provides amusement to his audience and by placing this pun at the beginning of this article it makes the reader intrigued to read on. Furthermore puns are used throughout the article to keep the reader engaged. Jargon is used also as a way to present h is readers with photography knowledge.He uses a quote from the photographer which says â€Å"†¦to give a refreshing view on insect marco-photography†. By using this the author gives the public a small insight to what technology goes into taking these photos. This uses of jargon also presents another purpose as it shows the photographer of these fly photos to be a professional within this business. Also that it makes it easier for people who know about the subject to follow, as specialized terms can be used without losing information.This is useful as he has a very wide audience and some may understand these terms. The use of compound sentences adds more detail and information. The author says â€Å"Nearly all the photographs of Mr Fly, whose first name was Gerald, were taken in Mr Hendrickx’s bedroom, using mostly natural light and a small eight megapixel camera. † By saying this the author adds more richness to the sentence and therefore by doing so adds m ore information to his readers.By adding more information the author can entertain his audience which are on the public transport on their journeys. Furthermore that by using compound sentences it is more effective in creating a balance between two important pieces of information, thereby leaving the reader with a better understanding of the article. To conclude by using all this techniques the author of the text can keep his audience engaged and entertained while reading his article and furthermore provide them with information which they may not of known prior.

Cornell University Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores

Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is an Ivy League research university with an acceptance rate of 10.6%. Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the Cornell admissions statistics you should know. Acceptance Rate During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Cornell University had an acceptance rate of 10.6%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 10 students were admitted, making Cornell’s admissions process highly competitive. Admissions Statistics (2017-18) Number of Applicants 51,324 Percent Admitted 10.6% Percent Admitted Who Enrolled 61% SAT Scores and Requirements Cornell requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 70.7% of of admitted students submitted SAT scores. SAT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile ERW 680 750 Math 710 790 ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing This admissions dataset tells us that most of Cornell’s admitted students fall within the top 7% nationally on the SAT.  For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Cornell scored between 680 and 750, while 25% scored below 680 and 25% scored above 750. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 710 and 790, while 25% scored below 710 and 25% scored above 790.  Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1540 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Cornell. Requirements Cornell does not require the SAT writing section. Note that Cornell participates in the Score Choice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. At Cornell, SAT subject test requirements vary according to the college to which you’re applying, so make sure to review the requirements for your application. ACT Scores and Requirements Cornell requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2016-17 admissions cycle, 56% of admitted students submitted ACT scores. ACT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile English 32 35 Math 30 35 Composite 31 34 This admissions data tells us that most of Cornells admitted students fall within the top 5% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Cornell received a composite ACT score between 31 and 34, while 25% scored above 34 and 25% scored below 31. In general, applicants must have test scores well above the national average to be competitive for admission to Cornell (as well as any of the other Ivy League schools.) Requirements Cornell does not require the ACT writing section. Note that Cornell does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. Regardless of whether you submit the ACT or SAT, you may still be required to submit SAT subject test scores to Cornell (dependent on program to which you apply). GPA Cornell does not provide data about admitted students’ high school GPAs. Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph Cornell Applicants’ Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex. The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Cornell University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account. Admissions Chances Cornell University has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, Cornell has  holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside Cornell’s typical range. All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Cornell University Undergraduate Admissions Office.