A morel mushroom cultivation base in Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The season of abundant harvesting and introduction of morel mushrooms has arrived in Quzhou, Zhejiang province.

In the morel mushroom cultivation base at Qiantang village, morel mushrooms are breaking through the soil in the greenhouse. The brown mushroom caps are full and robust, while the stems glisten like polished jade. Diligent workers delicately pick the ripe, fresh morel mushrooms.

Ju Jianfeng, the farm's owner, embarked on the venture of morel mushroom cultivation in 2019. With years of technical refinement, he has amassed substantial expertise in cultivation practices.

"Three-quarters of the success in growing morel mushrooms lies in the planting, while the remainder hinges on management," Ju said.

Morel mushrooms, being saprophytic fungi, impose stringent requirements on soil organic content and acidity. Morel mushrooms thrive in slightly alkaline, fertile soil with a pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5. Post-planting, irrigation volume and the duration of ground coverage with plastic film necessitate precise calibration based on prevailing conditions.

The mushrooms are both a culinary delight and a medicinal treasure, renowned for their rich nutritional profile and exquisite taste, which has endeared them to consumers. The cultivation cycle of artificially grown morel mushrooms is brief yet lucrative.

"This year, the market value of fresh morel mushrooms ranges between 70-80 yuan ($9.73-$11.12) per kilogram, while dried mushrooms command prices ranging from 300-420 yuan per kilogram," disclosed.

Post-harvest, the land undergoes rotation with rice and vegetables, further enhancing land productivity and facilitating increased yields and revenue.