Effect of organic supplements at spawning and casing on growth and yield of Agaricus bisporus

Abstract

Out of four formalin treated supplements incorporated into compost at spawning, three supplements, viz., soybean meal, maize meal and rice bran initiated early spawn run by 1 to 4  days, early pinning by 1 to 4.67 days and enhanced button yield from 1.80 to 26.40 per cent. On the contrary, the fourth supplement (mustard oil cake) delayed spawn run period by 2 to 6 days, pinning by 6.66 to 13 days and also reduced the button yield by 5.60 to 15.90 per cent in comparison to control. Supplementation at casing with above mushroom friendly supplements behaved in a similar way. There was early case-run by 2.37 to 4 days, early pinning by 2.67 to 4.67 days and enhanced button yield from 1 to 33.40 per cent. Here again mustard oil cake delayed case-run by 4 to 7.33 days, pinning by 3.33 to 6 days and reduced the button yield by 12.50 to 22.80 per cent in comparison to control. Supplementation at casing was more beneficial to supplementation at spawning.