Abstract
Disposal of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) generated after mushroom cultivation is a subject of great concern. Unplanned disposal causes land, water, and air pollution together with the nuisance in the surroundings. During recent years, environmental legislation has forced mushroom growers to think about more amicable ways of SMS disposal. Hence, farmers in different corners of the country are using SMS as manure for various field crops and horticulture but without any support of the recommended rates from scientific data and therefore may not be getting the optimum benefits. This study sought to evaluate the effects of spent mushroom substrate on the yield and quality of baby spinach. The experiment was conducted in Mazowe, Zimbabwe, with 5 treatments (10 t ha−1, 20 t ha−1, 30 t ha−1 of SMS, and two controls) arranged in a CRBD and replicated 3 times. Biomass production (fresh mass, dry mass, root length, fresh root mass, and dry root mass) and sensory evaluation were determined 35 days after planting. Results showed that increasing rates of spent mushroom substrate significantly ( p < 0.05) increased the fresh yield and quality of baby spinach. Application of spent mushroom substrate beyond 30 t ha−1, however, increased the bitterness of baby spinach. The results of the study present the potential of the spent mushroom substrate as an organic fertilizer for the production of quality baby spinach.
Highlights
Vegetables which require marginal processing and are consumed fresh have gained importance and attention in the international vegetable market [1]. e increase in demand for baby leaf greens has resulted in many farmers gearing their production towards baby greens such as baby lettuce, baby spinach, and Swiss chard [2]
Above-Ground Fresh and Dry Mass. e fresh and dry weight of baby spinach was recorded after harvest
Fresh mass significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing rates of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) (Figure 1). e positive control with the NPK amendment recorded the highest in fresh mass (9.01 g/plant) yield followed by 30 t ha−1 which had 8.29 g/plant. e lowest fresh mass was obtained from the negative control treatment with 1.15 g/plant. e average fresh mass recorded was 5.27 g/plant
Summary
Vegetables which require marginal processing and are consumed fresh have gained importance and attention in the international vegetable market [1]. e increase in demand for baby leaf greens has resulted in many farmers gearing their production towards baby greens such as baby lettuce, baby spinach, and Swiss chard [2]. E increase in demand for baby leaf greens has resulted in many farmers gearing their production towards baby greens such as baby lettuce, baby spinach, and Swiss chard [2]. Baby spinach is recognized to have health benefits due to its distinctly high stages of bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and phytochemicals [3]. Production of baby spinach is still limited with low yields being characterized by poor agronomic practices including soil nutrient management options. Low yields of baby spinach and the problem of bitter taste caused by costly inorganic fertilizers require the intervention of using organic fertilizers such as spent mushroom substrate (SMS) which itself has challenges with disposal.
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