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Harvest
Method and Effect
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Monitoring matsutake sporocarp
(mushroom) production began in 1994 West side Oregon
Cascades. Original goals were to apply and monitor
effects of a variety of harvest methods.
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"Does the
method of harvest effect long term fruit
production?"
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In 1994
shirro's (patches) were harvested using minimum
disturbance method. In each shirro, individual mushroom
maturity (grade), damage, weight, and commercial value
were recorded. 18 shirro's, with similar production, were
select for treatment in 1995. Methods of harvest were
divided into 5 categories and no harvest. Each method was
applied to 3 shirro, and 3 were not harvested.
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CONTROL - Mushrooms were not harvested. Cap diameters
were recorded. (Left)
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE - Minimum disturbance, gently
rocking as described in Harvest
method.
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SHALLOW RAKE REPLACE Shirro raked to fruiting level,
litter replaced. (Right) |
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SHALLOW RAKE NO REPLACE - Shirro raked to fruiting level,
litter not replaced. (Below) |
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| DEEP RAKE
REPLACE - Shirro raked to below fruiting level, litter
and soil replaced. |
| DEEP RAKE NO
REPLACE - Shirro raked to below fruiting level, litter
and soil not replaced. (Below) |
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Statistical evaluation and formal publication is pending. However observations strongly suggest substantial
decreases in production as disturbance increases. No
observable environmental changes were noted.
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Monitoring continues to determine recovery time for fruit
production and answers to other questions:
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"Can sporocarp production be sustained, using only
minimum disturbance harvest method?
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"To what extent do animals depend on matsutake as a
food source?" |
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