Abstract
Several materials have been used in the cultivation of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. However, little is known about the reuse of the exhausted compost. This study evaluated the utilization of used substrates. Four formulations of composts were evaluated: C1 with no exhausted compost, and C2, C3 and C4 with 26, 45 and 64% of exhausted compost, respectively. Loss of organic matter, biological efficiency and mass of basidiomata were evaluated by means of the results of the chemical analysis of the initial and final composts and the nutritional assessment of the basidiomata. The data obtained were submitted to statistical analysis. The results of the chemical analysis of the composts show an increase of nitrogen between the initial and the exhausted compost and a decrease of the carbon/nitrogen ratio. The loss of organic matter and biological efficiency of composts C2, C3 and C4 were lower than the traditional compost. The mass of fresh basidiomata of composts 1 and 2 were not significantly different, being superior to other treatments. Treatment C3 showed a higher amount of protein. The conclusion was that the exhausted compost can be reused up to a certain amount without affecting the production and the nutritional value. Key words: Residues, utilization, productivity, mushrooms.
Highlights
Several materials have been used in the cultivation of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus
With the advent of the second-generation ethanol, crushed sugarcane, one of the main substrates used in mushroom cultivation in the State of São Paulo, has become scarcer in the market, once it has been used by industries as an energy source in boilers
C1, Control treatment, with sugarcane straw; C2, treatment with 26% of exhausted compost; C3, treatment with 45% of exhausted compost; C4, treatment with 64% of exhausted compost; CV, coefficient of variation; MSD, Minimum significant difference; N%, Nitrogen percentage; OM%, Organic matter percentage; C%, Carbon percentage; pH, hydrogen potential
Summary
With the advent of the second-generation ethanol, crushed sugarcane, one of the main substrates used in mushroom cultivation in the State of São Paulo, has become scarcer in the market, once it has been used by industries as an energy source in boilers. Fungi producers have found difficulties to obtain this product and, when it is available, its price has become continuously inviable. Another common problem in mushroom cultivation regions is the correct discharge of the exhausted compost in order to avoid environmental damages. It is very common to find producers who pile all the exhausted substrate somewhere else in the property, attracting flies and other agronomic pests which can eventually cause damages for the mushroom cultivations, according the distance from the production site and the environmental factors (rain, wind, humidity, etc.).
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