What are Fungi?

They are neither plants nor animals – they have their own Kingdom, closer to animals on the evolutionary tree. They have no chlorophyll, lack photosynthetic capacity, need other organic material for energy. Fungi also gain nutrients by absorption rather than ingestion and digest their food externally by secreting enzymes into the environment and absorbing the dissolved organic matter into their cells. Most have cell walls composed primarily of chitin which is found in exoskeletons of insects and shells of crustaceans. They store food reserves as glycogen and lipids, not as starch as in plants.

Comprised of hyphae (filamentous fungi) or single celled (eg. yeasts, chytrids). Filamentous fungi typically form complex non-motile networks of hyphae within or on substrata and tend to reproduce by spores. Reproductive structures and propagules are immensely varied. Fungi are largely unseen and

grow in many different substrata in many different forms. They are ubiquitous in terrestrial habitats even in extreme conditions such as Antarctica, growing on rocks, bark, soil, leaves, internally as well as

externally, man-made materials and are important components of both marine and freshwater ecosystems. They are the second most diverse major group of organisms on Earth after arthropods and there are currently over 148,000 fungi described with more than 90% of an estimated 2.8 – 3.8 million species currently unknown to science, with 8,000 known to be detrimental to plants and 800 pathogenic to humans.

Professor Katherine Willis who was Director of Science at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, said ‘We ignore fungi at our peril’, for we are only just starting to scratch the surface of knowledge of this incredible group of organisms.

Morphology.

All fungi are microscopic though some have elements that are macroscopic. Hyphae, microscopic elongated tubular structures filled with protoplasm, form the feeding, growing and reproductive structures of the fungus. When hyphae clump together they form mycelium and other macroscopic specialised structures – Rhizomorphs – cord or root-like aggregation of hyphae, Sclerotia – compact mass of sterile hyphae. A resting stage of a fungus that allows it to remain dormant until conditions are favourable for reproduction. Reproductive structures (spore bearing organs) of fungi are called sporophores or fruitbodies.

Basiomycota/Ascomycota are the two main phyla we talk about. Distinguished by the morphology of their spore bearing structures. Be aware that the ‘mushroom’ or other fungal reproductive structure is not an independent organism but part of an organism. NOTE: Slime moulds, which have an amoeboid (motile) phase are not fungi, even though often studied by mycologists. They are classified as belonging to the Kingdom Protista.

Role in the Environment. How fungi obtain their nutrients – feeding habits influence their ecological roles making them fundamental to healthy ecosystem functions. Three main ways they gain their nutrients:

* Saprotrophic fungi

* Symbiotic fungi

* Parasitic fungi

Saprotrophic fungi.

Obtain energy and nutrients by breaking down dead organic material – including animal matter, dung and other plant material. Key role – capacity to decompose lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose (major components of plant cell walls) tough polymers that give wood strength and durability, brown rot and white rot. White rot decomposes cellulose and lignin – wood becomes paler, stringy spongey e.g. species of Xylariaceae, and Trametes versicolor. Brown rot decompose cellulose and hemicelluloses leaving a residual brown-coloured modified lignin matrix. Residues very stable can persist for many years. When dry, shrinks and cracks into cubical patterns.

Fistulina, Pastia, Ryardenia are examples of fungi that can cause brown rot. They feed on and recycle 85% of the carbon from dead organic material, 15% by bacterium and animals – releasing key plant nutrients to the environment. Mycelium help bind litter together – reduces soil erosion thus a more stable and protected environment. Without nutrient cycling, life on Earth as we know it would not exist. Also improve soils enabling other organisms to function more effectively. Contribute to the formation of nesting hollows. Staining wood – Tunbridge ware. Lines of antagonism – Spalting – decorative wood turning. Essential to the well-being of the environment – though can cause harm. Decay – tranquil – illusion – competition fierce for food source - lines of antagonism.

Judy Matheson is a co founder and foundation member of HOGS Hunter Organic Growers Society. They were a group of people from various walks of life and all ages, who were and still are interested in farming and gardening without the use of artificial fertilizers and poisonous insecticides. Those were the early aims of the group and they haven’t changed.

Judy held various positions such as Vice President, Newsletter editor and Membership Secretary. She wrote articles for the magazine. It came out quarterly by mail. It was typed out on a typewriter. It followed the seasons- Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. Her daughter did the illustrations for HOGS magazine. It was called Hogs Tales.

Judy was Living at Kitchener on 25 acres w8ith her husband and family. Growing all sorts of vegetables and writing regular articles about what was happening there.The AGM was poorly attended even in 1985. 

She was involved with HOGS for many years and recently Mike and Sue Lorraine caught up with her again. We met Judy when we were members of the same food co-op.

When we caught up again recently we were surprised to hear she co started HOGS. She is still active in the garden and on the verge of her house in Springwood. She is still teaching the neighbours how to garden organically.

By Mike Lorraine.

Judy will be at our 45th Birthday celebrations this August.

Recipes available for members to download thanks to the generosity of Nici Cooper from Simply Homesteading when HOGS visited Limestone Permaculture Farm recently.

Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar - Download here

Gluten Free Focacia - Download here

Apple or Pear Scrap Vinegar - Download here

Honey Scraps Hooch - Download here

Wild Ferment Ginger Bug Soda - Download here
Simply Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar - Download here

PH Test Strips - Download here

Aloe Vera uses - Download here

Get started on your seed planting as the soil warms up. I’ve got more information about spring preps below, but in particularly do not let your seed beds dry out in the warmer temperatures and windy days.

Umbellifer germination is good in the mild and warming soil, so be observant if you are still getting past the frost period, and then get direct planting these now: Carrot, coriander, dill, fennel, parsley and parsnip.

Get your leaves going with endive, lettuce, spinach and silverbeet. I prefer to start these in trays and plant out.

You might well be harvesting brassicas right now, so plant the next succession of kale, Chinese cabbage, and get some quick growing returns with radish and rocket. Seed in place.

Amongst the above, we’re getting our leeks, bunching onions, and shallots started and adding a bit of future integrated pest management. Seed in place or trays.

If you’ve got the greenhouse, polytunnel set-up or similar window sill conditions, it is the perfect time to get a head start on tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, and capsicums.

We’re hosting a workshop on seed starting and raising at Hive and Gobbler, Dungog in October. Information and tickets can be found here: https://hiveandgobbler.com.au/collections/workshops/products/healthy-soil-seedlings-saturday-october-5

Will Power

Maplewood Permaculture

HOGS Website Editor