Compost Preparation Research Articles

RESEARCHES CONCERNING THE MANIFESTATION OF YIELDING POTENTIAL OF AGARICUS BISPORUS A-15 AND A –X STRAINS IN CASE OF USING DIFFERENT CONTAINERS FOR NUTRITIVE SUBSTRATE USED IN GROWING ROOM

, , Romania, Keywords: SUMMARY The crop system used to grow mushrooms determines the way of introduction and placing of nutritive layer following several methods. At present, in the mushroom farms that use industrial intensive crop systems (bizonal and multizonal), there are differentiated systems with plain layers, cultures based on plyethylene bags or other types of containers using 2-4 story shelves, each having advantages and disadvantages. In the present paper, there are presented the research results regarding the effect of using the polyethylene bags and parallelepipedic bags made of same material in a mushroom farm with bizonal intensive system. The cultivation nutritive substrate was imported from companies profiled on compost preparation in the third phase (pasteurized, conditioned, inseminated with granulated mycelium and incubated). In one year, it was possible to perform 8 cultivation cycles (the duration of one cycle being of 46 days of which 40 days of harvest and 6 days for preparations requested for a new cultivation cycle). There were cultivated two types of mushroom strains, A-15 and A-x and nutritive substrate was treated against specific pests with Nemasys M product. The performed researches allowed us to conclude that mushroom yields obtained in case of using parallelepipedic PE foil bags were higher (33,3 %) comparatively with yields obtained on PE foil bags (30,6 %) and proved to be statistically covered. Moreover, mushroom yields obtained on both types of containers when Nemasys M product was applied (35,1 %) were higher than those obtained without applying Nemasys M product (29,3 %).

THE STUDY OF INFLUENCE CONCERNING THE COMPOST PREPARATION PHASE AND APPLICATION OF NEMASYS M PRODUCT ON YIELD DIFFERENTIATION OF AGARICUS BISPORUS A-15 AND A-X STRAINS

The sustained mushroom yields are conditioned by optimal microclimate factors inside the cultivation room and the quality of compost preparation regarding its pasteurisation and conditioning. The mycelium incubation in the compost and then its maintenance free of diseases and pests along with the cultivation of quantitatively and qualitatively upper strains are the guarantee of a successful mushroom production. In the present paper, we have presented the results concerning the Agaricus bisporus yield under the influence of the second and third phases of compost preparation as well as the phyto-sanitary effect of Nemasys M on the compost with clear effects on yield level.

Re-supplementing and re-casing mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) compost for a second crop

Experiments were performed to determine the effect of adding nutrient supplements to colonized mushroom compost (MC) for the production of a second crop of mushrooms. Mushrooms were harvested for 1, 2 or 3 flushes, the casing removed and the MC then was fragmented and re-supplemented with delayed release supplements treated or non-treated with fungicide (thiophanate-methyl; Topsin M 70WP) and re-cased. Overall double-crop yields were higher when MC was re-supplemented after 1st flush (1st flush MC) as compared to re-supplementation after the 2nd or 3rd flushes. Mean double-crop BEs were 128, 119 and 109% when 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-flush MCs were used, respectively. Treatment of delayed release supplement with thiophanate-methyl fungicide did not affect mushroom yields. Soluble salts and potassium concentrations increased 350 and 900%, respectively, in the casing overlay through three flushes suggesting that removal of the casing would help to alleviate the build up of these potential growth-limiting materials. Re-supplementing and re-casing of MC represents a potential opportunity for growers to increase revenues and reduce costs associated with preparation and disposal of compost. The ability to double-crop mushroom compost would provide growers a chance to increase yields by 40% or more, depending on whether they re-supplement and re-case after 1st, 2nd or 3rd flush.

Chemical and Biochemical Parameters During Composting of Lawn Clippings with Special Regard to the Efficiency of a Compost Starter Kit

Lawn clippings were composted for 27 days to obtain an overview of chemical and biochemical changes taking place during the process. In particular, the influence of a special microbial compost starter kit (CSK) on the composting process with reference to the maturity and stability of the end-product, was studied. The starter kit consisted of an organic matrix and two seeded microorganisms, Geotrichum klebahnii and Trichoderma viride. Quality control of CSK was performed with common cultural techniques and by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using a new primer set. For temperature, electrical conductivity, spectral absorption at 254, 400 and 600 nm, and for the concentration of total organic carbon, no significant differences could be observed depending on CSK-application. In contrast, the results connected with NNH4 NNQ3, Nt, pH, percentage of dry weight and organic matter and the biomass and height of test plants pointed distinctly to better and faster degradation within the samples treated with compost starter compared to the untreated samples. Therefore the starter kit used within the present investigation seems to be an effective and useful tool for compost preparation on a household composting-scale.

Preparation of Aluminum Cattle Manure Composts and Effect of Its Application on Subsoil of Strongly Acidic Andisols

Preparation of Aluminum Cattle Manure Composts and Effect of Its Application on Subsoil of Strongly Acidic Andisols

Compatibility of ammonia suppressants used in poultry litter with mushroom compost preparation and production

Ammonia suppressants are applied to chicken litter to decrease ammonia levels. And mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus) producers use poultry litter to increase the nitrogen in the compost. To determine the influence of ammonia suppressants used in poultry litter on compost preparation and mushroom production, four mushroom crops were cultivated from compost prepared using litter treated with PLT, Barn Fresh and Impact-P at 25.22 kg/100 m 2, 40 kg/100 m 2, and 0.49 kg/100 m 2, respectively, during the poultry production process. In general, no significant differences ( P > 0.05) were noted between treatments for total nitrogen, ammonia, pH, EC, ash, and moisture when compost or the headspace air was sampled during compost preparation throughout all stages. Nor were mushroom yields or counts significantly affected ( P > 0.05) by the presence of ammonia suppressants in the poultry litter. Thus, the mushroom industry can confidently use poultry litter amended with PLT, Impact-P, and Barn Fresh when used at the recommended rates.

Effects of storage of a mature compost on its potential for biodegradation of plastics

Biodegradation of plastics was tested in the compost stored at −20 °C, 4 °C and 20 °C for different periods. Viable cells in the compost stored at −20 °C were expected to be fewer than those in the compost stored at 4 °C and 20 °C, because microbes may be under stress or even be killed due to the formation of ice crystals at the subzero temperature. Mesophilic bacteria and mesophilic actinomycetes were fewer in number in the compost stored at 20 °C than in the compost stored at the other two lower temperatures contrary to expectation. In contrast, both thermophilic bacteria and thermophilic actinomycetes were fewest in the compost stored at −20 °C as was expected, indicating that thermophilic microbes were more susceptible to stress in the freezing conditions than the mesophilic ones. Activity of the exo-enzymes plausibly excreted by the microbes in the compost decreased as a result of the storage. Nevertheless, biodegradation of cellulose in the compost was almost independent of the storage time and temperature. In contrast, biodegradability of both polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) depended strongly on the storage conditions. From the point of view that the existing standards for biodegradation tests of plastics in compost accept reproducibility of cellulose biodegradability as a criterion for the validity of the biodegradation tests, a new standard of the compost preparation should be provided to guarantee more reliable results on the biodegradability of plastics.

Modern aspects of mushroom culture technology.

The production and culture of new species of mushrooms is increasing. The breeding of new strains has significantly improved, allowing the use of strains with high yield and resistance to diseases, increasing productivity and diminishing the use of chemicals for pest control. The improvement and development of modern technologies, such as computerized control, automated mushroom harvesting, preparation of compost, production of mushrooms in a non-composted substrate, and new methods of substrate sterilization and spawn preparation, will increase the productivity of mushroom culture. All these aspects are crucial for the production of mushrooms with better flavor, appearance, texture, nutritional qualities, and medicinal properties at low cost. Mushroom culture is a biotechnological process that recycles ligninocellulosic wastes, since mushrooms are food for human consumption and the spent substrate can be used in different ways.

Compost Tea: Principles and Prospects For Plant Disease Control

An increasing body of experimental evidence indicates that plant disease can be suppressed by treating plant surfaces with a variety of water-based compost preparations, referred to in the literature as watery fermented compost extracts or compost teas. The terms nonaerated compost teas (NCT) and aerated compost teas (ACT) are used in this review to refer to the common production methods that diverge in the intent to actively aerate. Very little data directly compares the efficacy of NCT and ACT for plant disease suppression. A variety of foliar plant pathogens and/or diseases have been suppressed by applications of NCT while few controlled studies have examined ACT. For some diseases the level of control would be considered inadequate for conventional agriculture; organic producers with limited control options consider partial disease control to be an important improvement. For both compost tea production methods, decisions that influence pathogen suppression include choice of compost feedstocks, compost age, water ratio, fermentation time, added nutrients, temperature and pH. Application technology choices include the dilution ratio, application equipment, timing, rates, spray adjuncts and adding specific microbial antagonists. Increased understanding of compost tea microbiology and the survival and interactions of microbes on plants surfaces should make it possible to modify compost tea production practices and application technology to optimize delivery of a microflora with multiple modes of pathogen suppression. Innovative growers and practitioners are leading the development of new compost tea production methods and uses, generating many potential research opportunities. The use of compost tea as part of an integrated plant health management strategy will require much additional whole systems research by a cohesive team of farmers and experts in composting, plant pathology, phyllosphere biology, molecular microbial ecology, fermentation science, plant physiology, plant breeding, soil science, and horticulture.

The Impact of Fertilization Methods on the Nutrient Balance and Changes of Soil Chemical Features in Crop Rotation

The effect of various fertilization methods on the simplified nutrients balance and changes of soil chemical features in crop rotation was estimated on the basis of 7-year (1994-2000) studies carried out on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. Different fertilization methods were used: A - mineral fertilization; B - mineral and manure fertilization; C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization; D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparation fertilization. Particular fertilization methods caused a significant differentiation of the nutrients balance. A positive phosphorus balance was found out in all the fertilization systems. It has been observed that the nitrogen and potassium carry-in with fertilizers was higher than the carry-out with crops in system B and C. A favorable calcium balance was achieved in systems C and D while a favorable magnesium balance - only in the ecologically fertilized systems (D). The changes of soil chemical features were only insignificantly dependent on the nutrient balance. After seven years of research, the contents of humus, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium increased while the soil reaction decreased in the soil of all the fertilized systems except the ecologically fertilized system.

Effect of vermicompost on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.) cv. CO 1

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of vermicompost on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.) cv. CO1 at Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Annamiali Nagar. Locally, freely and easily available agricultural wastes like sugarcane trash and coirpith were used for compost preparation using earthworm (Euridilus eugeniae) and they were compared with well decomposed farm yard manure application. Enriched organic manure was prepared using 750 kg organic manure ha and the entire quantity of P,O, (80 kg ha), 30 days prior to application. There were twelve treatments comprising of three organic sources viz. well decomposed FYM, coirpith vermicompost and sugarcane trash vermicompost at four levels viz. 12.5 t ha', 10.0 t ha'', 7.5 t ha and 750 kg hat in enriched form. It was observed that when compared to FYM application at different levels, the growth character, yield attributes and yield of soyben were favourably influenced by the application of vermicompost at different levels. Higher growth, nodulation and yield values were recorded when vermicomposts were applied at 12.5 t ha and 750 kg ha' in enriched form.

Adapting substrate formulas used for shiitake for production of brown Agaricus bisporus

A pasteurized, non-composted substrate (basal mixture) consisting of oak sawdust (28%), millet (29%), rye (8%), peat (8%), alfalfa meal (4%), soybean flour (4%), wheat bran (9%), and CaCO 3 (10%) was adapted from shiitake culture to produce the common cultivated mushroom (brown; portabello), Agaricus bisporus. Percentage biological efficiency (ratio of fresh mushroom harvested/oven-dry substrate weight, %BE) ranged from a low of 30.1% (when wheat straw was substituted for sawdust) to 77.1% for the basal mixture. Special, high gas-exchange bags were required to optimize mycelial growth during spawn run. Our formula may allow specialty mushroom growers to produce portabello mushrooms on a modified, pasteurized (110°C for 20 min) substrate commonly used for shiitake production without the added expense of compost preparation.

Assessment of winter wheat cultivars for changes in straw composition and digestibility in response to fungicide and growth regulator treatments

The effects of a combined fungicide and growth regulator treatment on the composition and dry matter digestibility of straw samples of winter wheat cultivars, Beaver, Brigadier, Hussar, Mercia, Riband, Genesis, Hunter, Spark, Cadenza and Flame, were compared. The samples were analysed for nitrogen, ash, fibre fractions and minerals, Nitrogen content of treated samples was reduced compared to the untreated control samples and in contrast the proportion of ash increased for all the treated samples. All samples were analysed by derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) to determine changes in fibre composition. Only six cultivars were analysed by chemical fractionation methods to determine changes in lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose content. The results from the two methods of fibre analysis were broadly similar. K, Ca, Mg and Na concentrations of the treated straw samples were found to be different to the untreated samples. Increase in dry matter digestibility (DMD) of treated straw was observed for all cultivars; the effects on Beaver, Brigadier, Mercia, Riband, Genesis, Hunter and Cadenza were most pronounced, but were less for Hussar, Spark and Flame. The potential impact of these changes in straw quality on organic mushroom compost preparation is briefly discussed.

Organic and Biodynamic Management Effects on Soil Biology

Biodynamic agriculture is a unique organic farming system that utilizes, in addition to the common tools of organic agriculture, specific fermented herbal preparations as compost additives and field sprays. The objective of this work was to determine whether biodynamic compost or field spray preparations affect the soil biological community in the short term, beyond the effects of organic management. Four fertilizer options: (i) composted dairy manure and bedding (organic fertilization), (ii) the same material composted with biodynamic compost preparations, (iii) mineral fertilizers, and (iv) no fertilizer were investigated with and without the biodynamic field spray preparations. Both biodynamic and nonbiodynamic composts increased soil microbial biomass, respiration, dehydrogenase activity, soil C mineralized in 10 d (MinC), earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) population and biomass, and metabolic quotient of respiration per unit biomass (qCO2) by the second year of study. No significant differences were found between soils fertilized with biodynamic vs. nonbiodynamic compost. Use of biodynamic field sprays was associated with more MinC and minor differences in soil microbial fatty acid profiles in the first year of study. There were no other observed effects of the biodynamic preparations. Organically and biodynamically managed soils had similar microbial status and were more biotically active than soils that did not receive organic fertilization. Organic management enhanced soil biological activity, but additional use of the biodynamic preparations did not significantly affect the soil biotic parameters tested.

Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) compost quality factors for predicting potential yield of fruiting bodies

A quality model has been developed from parameters determining the interactions of physical, chemical, and biological factors during the preparation of mushroom compost for growing Agaricus bisporus. Our results show that a partial least square model based on the combination of pH, dry matter, ammonia, carbon, hydrogen, ash, Cu, Fe, and Na could explain nearly 90% of the variation in mushroom yield obtained from four compost comparative trials. The yields in the data base for generating the model ranged from 138 to 305 kg per ton of compost. The validity of the yield model has been confirmed in a trial carried out in collaboration with experienced commercial growers. This has significant implications for compost producers, as production efficiencies can be maintained by targeting the important parameters.

Existing Upland Farming Technology in Ilocos Sur

This study assessed the existing farming technology in 14 upland municipalities of llocos Sur. It aimed to identify the farmers' socio-economic characteristics, the farm technologies they used, the agencies involved infarm technology transfer, the kind of technology they promoted, the farm technologies adopted or rejected by the farmers, and the reasons for adoption/rejection of the technologies. Majority of the farmer-respondents were male, married, belonged to the 50-69 age bracket, finished elementary, and had a monthly income of less than P5,000.00 derived mostly from their agricultural products. Most of them prepared their seed beds through the wet bed method and used the traditional plow and carabao to prepare the landfor planting, although a considerable number used tractors and kuliglig. They tilled their land twice or thrice before planting, before and during the rainy season. The total land area planted by majority of the farmer-respondents was one hectare and below. Their common crops were rice and vegetables, but some planted corn, tobacco, and root crops. They planted breeder and certified seedsusing two or three of the methods of planting: direct seeding, local practice, random, and straight row planting. They used side dressing, top dressing, and basal methods of fertilizer application following the amount recommended by the agricultural technologists or based on their own experience. Since their plants were rainfed, some used irrigation system and electric pump to supplement the water supplied by the rain. They also used insecticides, pesticides, and bio-pest control; some used fungicides and herbicides. Harvesting of crops was manually done. Very few farmers used rice thresher and mechanical reaper for harvesting rice and the corn sheller for harvesting corn. All the rice and corn farmers sun dried their products after harvesting them. The majority sold their products after drying. Those who did not sell all their products stored them in granaries and warehouses. Only some treated their products with chemicals before storing them. The farm technologies introduced mainly by the Department of Agriculture (DA) extension specialist were: use of chemicals, seed growing technology, integrated pest management, compost preparation, irrigation technology, use of farm machines, legume inoculation, and green manuring. Other sources of farm information were non-government organizations, institutions of higher learning, private organizations, and neighbors/friends. All technologies introduced to the farmers were favorably accepted by the majority of the respondents due to the following reasons: it lessens expenses, increases production and income, improves the product quality, and is economical; integrated pest management prevents pollution; irrigation system provides enough water supply; machines are better farming facilities and make land preparation easier; and legume inoculation improves soil quality and produce healthier plants. Those who did not accept the use of chemicals reasoned out that it was expensive and hazardous to health andsoil nutrients were depleted. Some farmer respondents did not accept legume inoculation because they had no adequate knowledge of the technology.

Bench-Scale Preparation of Mushroom Substrates In Controlled Environments

Conventional composting for mushroom cultivation involves a largely uncontrolled phase in which there are wide variations in temperature and oxygen level, resulting in the production of odor pollutants. The experiments reported in this paper investigated environmental conditions for compost preparation in an attempt to minimize odor production. Substrates for mushroom culture were prepared in flasks under controlled temperature and aeration. The temperature (48 to 72°C), O2 concentration (0.6 to 8.7 percent v/v) and duration (6 or 20 h) of an initial pasteurization phase were varied before all the substrates were given a standard aerated conditioning period at 47°C. Compost decomposition, initial mineralization rates of 14C labelled glutamic acid (a measure of microbial activity) and actinomycete and fungal populations all decreased as the pasteurization temperature increased from 48°C to 72°C. The duration and O2 concentration of the pasteurization treatment did not affect the overall decomposition of the substrate, mineralization of 14C labelled glutamic acid and subsequent mushroom mycelial extension rate and yield from the substrate. Under the controlled temperature conditions, the optimum pasteurization temperature for mushroom mycelial extension rate and sporophore yield was 60°C but possible benefits of higher temperature zones in a large stack situation were identified: 1) a higher concentration of ammonia which may assist substrate degradation over a prolonged period; 2) the development of high populations of intercellular bacteria following pasteurization at 72°C, 0.6 percent O2; 3) the recovery of low rates of mineralization of 14C labelled glutamic acid following the pasteurization of substrate at 72°C to rates above those of the 48°C and 60°C pasteurization treatments.

Chemical Evaluation of Leaf Fibre Residues from Tropical Tree Legumes—a Wealth in Social Perspective

SYNOPSIS Leaf fibre residues obtained as a by-product during bulk extraction of leaf protein meal from three tropical forest trees viz. Albizzia procera Benth., Dalbergia sisso Roxb. and Delonix regia Raf. were analysed for their chemical and mineral composition. The fibres were found to consist of lignin, α-cellulose, pentosan, lipids, minerals, etc. and were similar in chemical nature. The data were compared with those of other lignocellulosic wastes and agricultural by-products like straw, husk, bagasse, jute stick, fibres, wood etc., which are commercially used in the preparation of feed, pulp, particle board, paper and composts.

Inoculation of Scytalidium thermophilum in Button Mushroom Compost and Its Effect on Yield

Scytalidium thermophilum isolates in culture, as well as the endogenous strain(s) in mushroom compost, were inactivated at 70 degrees C. This temperature was used to pasteurize composts for experiments. Of nine thermophilic fungal species, only S. thermophilum and Myriococcum thermophilum grew well on pasteurized compost in test tubes. The effect of both species on the crop yield of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms was studied. In solid-state fermentation rooms called tunnels, compost was pasteurized and inoculated. After incubation, the inoculated organisms were reisolated and counted, showing their successful colonization. The yield of mushrooms on inoculated composts was almost twice that on the pasteurized control. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of S. thermophilum in compost preparation. Inoculation is not necessary for traditional compost preparation. Naturally occurring strains of S. thermophilum, present in ingredients, readily colonize compost during preparation. Inoculation may be vital if compost is pretreated at a high temperature in tunnels. This finding is of relevance for the environmentally controlled production of high-yielding compost.

Ecology of Thermophilic Fungi in Mushroom Compost, with Emphasis on Scytalidium thermophilum and Growth Stimulation of Agaricus bisporus Mycelium

Twenty-two species of thermophilic fungi were isolated from mushroom compost. Scytalidium thermophilum was present in the compost ingredients, fresh straw, horse droppings, and drainage from compost and dominated the fungal biota of compost after preparation. Of 34 species of thermophilic fungi tested, 9 promoted mycelial growth of Agaricus bisporus on sterilized compost: Chaetomium thermophilum, an unidentified Chaetomium sp., Malbranchea sulfurea, Myriococcum thermophilum, S. thermophilum, Stilbella thermophila, Thielavia terrestris, and two unidentified basidiomycetes. These species will be considered for future experiments on inoculation and more controlled preparation of compost.