Effect of composted button mushroom spent substrate on yield, quality and disease incidence of Pea (Pisum sativum)

Abstract

A field study was conducted at DMR, Solan during 2005-07 to assess the influence of button mushroom spent substrate (SMS) on yield, quality and disease incidence of pea (Pisum sativum). SMS obtained from different method of composting (aerobic, anaerobic and natural) and different period of composting (9 and 18 month) were utilized as manure for this experiment. The influence of SMS was compared with FYM and recommended inorganic fertilization along with control. The 18 months old roadside discarded SMS supported highest vegetative growth of pea during 2 months of initial experimentation. SMS decomposed by aerobic and anaerobic methods for 9 to 18 months supported vegetative growth almost at par with recommended dose of inorganic fertilization. The economic pod yield was significantly higher (193.85% higher from control) in 18 month old anaerobically composted SMS over the FYM, recommended inorganic fertilization and control. Quality attributes like Ascorbic acid, Total soluble solids (TSS) and protein content were either higher or almost at par with recommended fertilization. Incidence of Fusarium wilts and powdery mildew was recorded lowest in 18 months old anaerobically composted SMS treatment, while control recorded maximum disease occurrence.