Improvements in long method composting using thermophilic fungi for white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) cultivation

Abstract

Improvements in the  yield and shortening the duration of long method compost (LMC) was attempted by inoculating  potent strains of Scytalidium thermophilium (S-7), Humicola insolens (I-1 and I-3) and their consortium in compost at zero day. Data obtained indicated that composting period can be brought down from 28 to 20 days in inoculated treatments as compared to control.  Significantly  higher yield  was obtained in compost inoculated with S. thermophilum (S-7) treatment. Control treatment (uninoculated) harboured the heavy infestation of Coprinius sp.  and Papulospra bysinia  resulting in lowest yield. Comparative results of each treatment were analyzed by measuring various physico-chemical factors such as temperature, pH, moisture %, C/N ratio, cellulose, hemicellulose, etc. at regular intervals of composting.  Diversity of thermophilic mycoflora was also studied in each treatment at various stages of compost preparation. Heavy population of inoculated fungus/ fungi were isolated at spawning in respective treatments.