Zero energy polytunnel: A rapid composting method for Agaricus bisporus cultivation

Abstract

The zero energy polytunnel, a novel composting method was developed for rapid substrate preparation for Agaricus bisporus cultivation using perforated HDPE pipes (10% perforations), iron frame and HDPE sheet (100-150 GSM). The ingredients mixture wheat straw (60%), wheat bran (5.5%), chicken manure (31%), urea (0.5%) and gypsum (3%) with initial moisture 75% (wb) used for composting. The process of composting was evaluated and standardized in terms of compost quality, numbers of turning, composting period and button mushroom yield. The method was also tested at seasonal/commercial grower’s farms. The design of the polytunnel was based on basic ingredients/compost bioengineering characteristics, principle of natural passive aeration and heat-mass transfer of composted substrate. This is natural environment friendly 14-16 days composting process, which requires only two manual turning without additional infrastructure i.e. tunnel, boiler, blowers and compost yard. Zero energy polytunnel method reduced composting period by 60%, 40% and compost production cost by 37%, 50% as compared to long and short methods, respectively. The current study suggested the possibility to cultivate A. bisporus on a lingo-cellulosic, naturally pasteurized and conditioned composted substrate and significantly improved compost production (3-3.5 times of compost ingredients) and mushroom yield upto 22-27% with minimum energy, labor and infrastructure.