Pattern of substrate decomposition during composting and mushroom growth and its relation to yield of Agaricus bisporus strains

Abstract

Substrate degradation pattern of paddy straw based compost formulations (wheat straw + paddy straw, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4, w/w) were studied during composting and mushroom growth, and compared with wheat straw compost. The C/N ratio of the different compost mixtures fell in the range of 20.8521.32 after 24 days composting. The substrate decomposition as reflected by the loss of carbon content was 17.83-20.29% in different compost mixtures during composting. The percentage loss of various fibre fractions i.e. neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose  for different compost mixtures during composting was found to be 55.07-63.88, 45.5854.68, 2.25-27.53, 66.97-73.29 and 82.39-90.94%, respectively. Agaricus bisporus strains U-3, P-1 and S-11 showed 43.89-49.35, 40.37-46.82 and 39.58-46.44% reduction in cellulose, respectively, on different composts from spawning to the end of cropping. Maximum reduction was in wheat + paddy straw (1:2) compost. Hemicellulose was completely utilized during cropping. Total per cent reduction of cellulose i.e. from IInd turning to the end of cropping was found to be 80.03-86.14% with the three A. bisporus strains on different compost mixtures. Maximum yield of 14.92 kg/100 kg compost was obtained using strain U-3 on wheat straw + paddy straw (1:2) compost.