Abstract
A compact pulsed power generator was developed as an electrical stimulation system for improving fruiting body yields of edible mushrooms. The pulsed power generator was designed based on an inductive energy storage system that minimises size and weight. The output voltage of the pulsed power generator was varied from 50 to 130kV with a 100ns pulse width to determine the optimum amplitude. The output voltage was applied to a sawdust-based culture of Lyophyllum decastes, and bedlogs hosting Lentinula edodes, Pholiota nameko, and Hypholoma sublateritium. The experimental results showed that the fruit body formation for some kinds of mushrooms increased 1.3-2.0 times as measured by total weight. The accumulated yield of Lentinula edodes for four cultivation seasons was improved from 160 to 320g by applying voltages of 50 or 100kV. However, the yield was decreased from 320 to 240g with increasing applied voltage from 100 to 130kV. The yield of the other kinds of mushrooms showed similar tendencies to the yield of Lentinula edodes with applied voltage. These results show that an optimal voltage is needed for efficient fruit body induction.
