CourseEstablished

Strain Selection & Culture Preservation

Evaluate mushroom strains on yield and quality traits and maintain a stable culture library with proven preservation methods.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

3 months · 72 h

Next start

January 11, 2027

Fee

$450

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English US

School

Cultivation

Program identification

1.1Program name: Strain Selection & Culture Preservation
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mushroom Cultivation & Production. A Fungaris program of its own, not endorsed by a university.
1.4Mode of study: Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits): 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →

mushroom strain selectionmushroom culture preservationmushroom culture librarymushroom strain trialsmycelium storage

Overview

2.1Program description

Strain Selection and Culture Preservation focuses on the genetic foundation of every mushroom crop. You will learn what defines a strain and why strains of the same species can differ widely in yield, appearance, temperature tolerance and shelf life. The course shows how to design fair strain trials, record yield and quality traits consistently, and interpret the results. It then covers short-term storage on agar and slants and long-term preservation methods, and how to organize and manage a culture library over time.

Growers who choose strains carefully and keep them stable gain a lasting advantage, while those who rely on unknown or degenerating cultures see yields drift without understanding why. This course suits lab staff and serious growers who want to take control of their genetics. In the final project you design a strain trial for a species you grow and a preservation plan for the resulting culture collection, including protocols, data sheets and storage methods, reviewed by your instructor.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in cultivation, useful in areas such as spawn and culture supply, commercial mushroom production, applied research, culture collections.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:

Evaluate mushroom strains on yield and quality traits and maintain a stable culture library with proven preservation methods.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: What Defines a Strain; Designing Strain Trials.
Put them into practice: Recording Yield and Quality Traits; Short-Term Culture Storage.
Apply everything to a real case: Long-Term Preservation Methods; Managing a Culture Library.
Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Explain how strains differ and why it matters for production.
Design replicated strain trials with appropriate controls.
Record and compare yield and quality traits consistently.
Store cultures short term and long term with suitable methods.
Organize and maintain a reliable culture library.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Lab staff and serious growers.

4.2Entry requirements

Experience with agar work and sterile technique is expected. Access to basic lab equipment allows you to practice storage methods.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Culture collection manager on a mushroom farm
Lab technician running strain trials
Spawn company quality assistant
Research technician in applied mycology
Grower managing proprietary strains

Sectors

spawn and culture supplycommercial mushroom productionapplied researchculture collections

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics	Hours
01	What Defines a Strain	Foundations	3	12
02	Designing Strain Trials	Foundations	3	12
03	Recording Yield and Quality Traits	Practice	3	12
04	Short-Term Culture Storage	Practice	3	12
05	Long-Term Preservation Methods	Application & project	3	12
06	Managing a Culture Library	Application & project	3	12
	Total			72

6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.

5.2Content by module

Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.

5.3Company placement

This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

A replicated strain trial design for one species plus a preservation plan for the resulting culture collection.

Methodology

6.1How it is taught

Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
Exercises and real case studies in every module.
Tutoring: your instructor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.

6.2Platform and resources

A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.

Technical requirements →

6.3Estimated weekly workload

About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.

Assessment

7.1Assessment system and weighting

Students are assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the instructor with individual feedback.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

7.2Requirements to pass

Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
Hand in the module exercises.
Have your final project approved by your instructor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

At Fungaris, the Cultivation school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.

9.2Issuing body / recognition

Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.

About our certificates →

Admission and enrollment

10.1Admission process (steps)

Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.

10.2Documents required

A valid identity document.
Contact and billing details (personal or company).

10.3Deadlines

Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: $450

Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.

Your employer can pay for the program and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.

10.6Cancellation policy

The conditions for canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.

Cancellation and refunds →

Additional information

11.1Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to study Strain Selection & Culture Preservation?

Experience with agar work and sterile technique is expected. Access to basic lab equipment allows you to practice storage methods.

How is Strain Selection & Culture Preservation taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

Students are assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the instructor with individual feedback.

What is the final project?

A replicated strain trial design for one species plus a preservation plan for the resulting culture collection.

What certificate do I get?

What can I study after Strain Selection & Culture Preservation?

The natural next step is Diploma in Gourmet Mushroom Production.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.