Analysis Of Fresh Mushroom Compost - ASHS
Analysis of Fresh Mushroom CompostMichael A. Fidanza1,3, David L. Sanford1, David M. Beyer2,and David J. Aurentz1ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. carbon, nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorus,potassium, soluble saltsSUMMARY. Fresh mushroom compost is a byproduct of the edible mushroom(Agaricus bisporus) industry and represents the composted growing substrate thatremains after a crop has been harvested to completion. Thirty samples were obtainedfrom commercial mushroom farms in southeastern Pennsylvania and sent toa laboratory for analysis to determine plant nutrient content, bulk density, andparticle size distribution of fresh mushroom compost. Fresh mushroom composthad an average pH of 6.6, with an average carbon:nitrogen ratio of 13:1. Organicmatter content averaged 25.86% (wet weight), 146.73 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or60.97% (dry weight). For the primary macronutrients, average total nitrogencontent averaged 1.12% (wet weight), 6.40 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or 2.65% (dryweight), phosphorus measured 0.29% (wet weight), 1.67 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or0.69% (dry weight), and potassium was 1.04% (wet weight), 5.89 lb/yard3 (wetvolume) or 2.44% (dry weight). Average soluble salt content was 13.30 mmho/cm(wet weight basis). However, on a per acre basis, the calculated sodium absorptionratio of 0.38 was considered very low. The average bulk density of fresh mushroomcompost was 574.73 lb/yard3 (wet volume basis), and 91% of the material measured 3/8 inch in diameter as determined on a wet weight basis. Overall, freshmushroom compost is suitable as a natural organic fertilizer and soil amendmentfor agriculture and horticulture.Production of the edible mushroom in the United States totaled 802 million pounds duringthe 2007–08 growing season, with 521million pounds or 65% produced inPennsylvania (Norris, 2009). The major ingredients in mushroom-growingsubstrate from farms in Pennsylvaniaare typically recycled agricultural wasteproducts and other materials, whichinclude hay, straw and horse bedding,poultry litter, corn cobs, corn stover,cottonseed meal, cocoa hulls, andgypsum in various amounts and proportions (Chang and Miles, 1989;Stamets, 2000). The ingredients aremixed, blended, and irrigated thoroughly, placed inside a production facility, and pasteurized with steam heatto sterilize the substrate before inoculation with mushroom spawn (Wuest,Financial support for this project was provided by theMushroom Industry Farmer-Based Applied ResearchProgram, administered through the American Mushroom Institute (Washington, DC), and by the HonorableEdward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealthof Pennsylvania, administered through the ChesterCounty Economic Development Council, Project No.C000029029 (Exton, PA).1Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus, Division of Science, 111 Luerssen Building, Reading,PA 196102Pennsylvania State University, Department of PlantPathology, Buckhout Laboratory, University Park,PA 168023Corresponding author. E-mail: fidanza@psu.edu. April 2010 20(2)1982). Sphagnum peatmoss is addedlater in the growing process (Beyer,2003; Chang and Hayes, 1978).After a cropping cycle has beencompleted and the substrate has beendepleted of nutrients needed forgrowing mushrooms, the substrateis removed from the production facility and the discarded material is thenreferred to as fresh mushroom compost (Beyer, 2003; Chang and Hayes,1978; Wuest, 1982). Before removal,however, the substrate is again pasteurized with steam heat to eliminatethe potential for unwanted fungiand weed seeds (Wuest, 1982). Freshmushroom compost was previouslycalled spent mushroom substrateor mislabeled as ‘‘mushroom soil’’(American Mushroom Institute, unpublished data). Although weatheredor outdoor-aged mushroom composthas been used as an organic fertilizerand soil amendment for plant production in agriculture and horticulture (Chong et al., 1991b; Lohr et al.,1984a; Maher, 1991, 1994), limitedinformation is available regardingthe analysis of fresh mushroom compost (American Mushroom Institute,unpublished data). An estimated650,000 to 700,000 yard3 of freshmushroom compost are generatedannually by the mushroom industryin Pennsylvania (American Mushroom Institute, unpublished data;Fidanza and Davis, 2009). The objective of this project was to analyzethe fresh mushroom compost produced in southeastern Pennsylvaniafor chemical and physical propertiesconsidered important for plant growthand soil improvement.Materials and methodsDuring late Winter/early Spring2005, 30 fresh mushroom compostsamples were collected from mushroomfarms in southeastern Pennsylvania,particularly the mushroom-growing regions in Berks and Chester counties.The samples were acquired as the material was being removed from a production facility, and were not allowed tostockpile or age outdoors. Each samplewas placed in a 1-gal plastic containerand was securely shipped to the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory(Pennsylvania State University, University Park) for processing and analysis.Laboratory tests measured the following properties: pH, carbon:nitrogen(C:N) ratio, soluble salts, solids, moisture, organic matter, carbon, totalnitrogen (N), organic nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphate (P2O5), potash (K2O), calcium (Ca), magnesium(Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn),copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Althoughlaboratory results reported P2O5 andK2O values, actual phosphorus (P) andUnitsTo convert U.S. to SI,multiply byU.S. unitSI unitTo convert SI to U.S.,multiply ard3/acrehaLcmkgkg ha–1kg m–3dS m–1Mg ha–1m3 .5293449
TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT REPORTSpotassium (K) were calculated fromP2O5 and K2O, respectively (Bradyand Weil, 1996). Two additional laboratory tests measured bulk density andparticle size distribution. Laboratorytest methods and procedures are basedon the Test Methods for Evaluation ofCompost and Composting program asrecommended by the U.S. CompostingCouncil (West Conshohocken, PA)and the American Society of TestingMaterials (Rokonkoma, NY), and alsobased on analytical methods describedin Eaton et al. (2005). A detailed list ofthe analytical methods used for eachtest can be obtained through Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory. Ofinterest for growth media in horticulture, soluble salt content was measuredindirectly from electrical conductivity(EC) using a 1:5 (compost:water) slurry(Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory, unpublished data).The laboratory tests determinedcompost characteristics on a wet weight,wet volume, and dry weight basis. Bulkdensity was determined ‘‘as is’’ (i.e., asreceived at the laboratory, and notoven-dried) on a wet volume basis [testmethod TMECC 3.01-A, U.S. Composting Council (Westerman, 1990)]and particle size also was determined ‘‘asis’’ on a wet weight basis. Data from allsamples were compiled to determinemean, standard deviation, and the minimum and maximum values (Steeland Torrie, 1980) for each parameter(Statistix, version 9; Analytical Software,Tallahassee, FL). Also, wet volume laboratory results data were used to calculate the amount of plant nutrients infresh mushroom compost per acre,as well as the sodium adsorption ratio(SAR) per acre (Swift, 2009). The SAR,calculated as follows,½Na ffiSAR ��ffiffiffiffiffiffiffi2 2 ð½Ca ½Mg Þ2compares Na concentration relativeto the concentrations of Ca and Mg(Brady and Weil, 1996).Results and discussionPH AND C:N RATIO. Fresh mushroom compost had an average pH of6.6 (Table 1) within the optimum soilpH range of 6.0 to 7.0 for growingmost agricultural and horticulturalcrops (Acquaah, 2009; Foth, 1984).Lohr et al. (1984b) reported an average leachate pH of 8.0 for freshmushroom compost. Only three450Table 1. Analysis of fresh mushroom compost on a wet weight basis.Parameter measuredzpHCarbon:nitrogen ratioSoluble salts (mmho/cm)ySolidsMoistureOrganic matterCarbonTotal nitrogenOrganic nitrogenAmmonium nitrogen 301.809.6817.97---------------------------- % .801.120.200.801.501.100.220.701.500.030.01 0.200.150.090.040.570.180.100.040.430.020.01 0.010.05 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01zFresh mushroom compost samples (n 30) were collected in 1-gal (3.8 L) containers and analyzed by theAgricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Pennsylvania State University, University Park) from Jan. 2005through Apr. 2005. Mushroom compost samples were analyzed ‘‘as is’’ when received at the laboratory formeasurements on a wet weight basis. Actual phosphorus (P) was calculated from laboratory-measured P2O5 (P P2O5 · 0.4365), and actual potassium (K) was calculated from laboratory-measured K2O (K K2O · 0.8301).ySoluble salts determined by measuring EC in a 1:5 (compost:water, weight ratio) slurry; 1 mmho/cm 1 dS m–1.samples were used in that study froma single mushroom farm in Tennessee(Lohr et al., 1984b) compared with30 samples from multiple farms in thisinvestigation, and the amount andquality of materials used to make mushroom substrate is dramatically differentin Pennsylvania (Beyer, 2003; Wuest,1982; Wuest et al., 1995). The C:Nratio of fresh mushroom compost inthis study averaged 13:1 (Table 1),within the desired range of 10:1 to15:1 for ideal compost (Stoffella andKahn, 2001).SOLUBLE SALTS. The average ECof fresh mushroom compost was 13.30mmho/cm (Table 1), which is notconsidered high enough to damageturfgrass (Landschoot and McNitt,2005) or impede plant production(Wang et al., 1984). In addition, saltconcentrations can be significantly diluted when a compost is incorporatedor tilled into a soil or soil amendment(Stoffella and Kahn, 2001). Lohr et al.(1984b) reported an EC of 22 mmho/cm for fresh mushroom compost, andconcluded that K, Ca, and Mg concentrations accounted for 80% to 90%of total dissolved salts present in saturated paste extracts used to measureEC in that study. However, it is difficult to compare soluble salt concentration in compost from previous researchwhen different analytical methods areused (Carter, 1993). Although solublesalt concentration of compost is oftena concern to practitioners (Tyler,1996), this material has been usedsuccessfully in many plant productionsystems (Chong and Rinker, 1994;Chong et al., 1991a; Philippoussiset al., 2004; Romaine and Holcomb,2001; Wang et al., 1984; Wuest et al.,1995).B ULK DENSITY , SOLIDS , ANDMOISTURE. Mean bulk density (Table2) averaged 574.73 lb/yard3 (wetvolume), with over half of the weightattributed to water. Lohr et al. (1984b)reported an average bulk density of428.12 lb/yard3 for fresh mushroomcompost, and again, this lower valuereflects a difference in the amountand quality of materials used to makemushroom substrate today in Pennsylvania (Beyer, 2003; Chang and Hayes,1978; Wuest, 1982; Wuest and Fahy,1992; Wuest et al., 1995). In thisstudy, fresh mushroom compost contained an average amount of solidsat 42.67% (wet weight) or 243.37 April 2010 20(2)
lb/yard3 (wet volume), and moistureat 57.33% (wet weight) or 331.47 lb/yard3 (wet volume) (Tables 1 and 2).Fresh mushroom compost is within theideal ranges for compost of 35% to 55%(wet weight) for solids and 45% to 65%(wet weight) for moisture (Stoffella andKahn, 2001).ORGANIC MATTER AND CARBON.Organic matter content of fresh mushroom compost averaged 25.86% (wetweight), 146.73 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or 60.97% (dry weight), and anaverage carbon content of 14.29% (wetweight), 81.13 lb/yard3 (wet volume),or 33.42% (dry weight) (Tables 1–3).The organic matter in mushroom compost consists of decomposed plant,animal, and fungal residues and materials, and is often recommended for usein land reclamation or soil remediation(Rupert, 1995), as well as plant production (Davis et al., 2006; Lemaireet al., 1985; Lohr et al., 1984a; Rinker,2002; Wang et al., 1984; Wuest et al.,1995).PRIMARY AND SECONDARYMACRONUTRIENTS. Average total Ncontent of fresh mushroom compostwas 1.12% (wet weight), 6.40 lb/yard3(wet volume) or 2.65% (dry weight)(Tables 1–3). The majority of this Nis in the organic form, with a very smallamount in the ammonium form. Ingeneral, composts have low N content, typically in the 1% to 3% range(Acquaah, 2009). Average P contentwas 0.29% (wet weight), 1.67 lb/yard3(wet volume) or 0.69% (dry weight)(Tables 1–3). Average K content was1.04% (wet weight), 5.89 lb/yard3(wet volume) or 2.44% (dry weight)(Tables 1–3). On average, fresh mushroom compost contains the secondarymacronutrients Ca at 2.32% (wetweight), 13.17 lb/yard3 (wet volume)or 5.38% (dry weight), Mg at 0.36%(wet weight), 2.01 lb/ yard3 (wetvolume) or 0.83% (dry weight), andS at 0.86% (wet weight), 4.91 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or 2.02% (dryweight) (Tables 1–3). Overall, theaverage amounts of primary and secondary macronutrients determinedfrom the 30 samples tested did notshow extreme minimum or maximumvales, thus indicating similar methodsused by mushroom farms for producing this material in Pennsylvania (Beyer,2003; Wuest, 1982).MICRONUTRIENTS. The micronutrients Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Na, and Alwere detected in fresh mushroom April 2010 20(2)Table 2. Analysis of fresh mushroom compost on a wet volume 90.080.09Parameter measuredzBulk densitySolidsMoistureOrganic matterCarbonTotal nitrogenOrganic nitrogenAmmonium (lb/yard3)yMeanzFresh mushroom compost samples (n 30) were collected in 1-gal (3.8 L) containers and analyzed by theAgricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Pennsylvania State University, University Park) from Jan. 2005through Apr. 2005. Mushroom compost samples were analyzed ‘‘as is’’ when received at the laboratory formeasurements on a wet volume basis. Actual phosphorus (P) was calculated from laboratory-measured P2O5 (P P2O5 · 0.4365), and actual potassium (K) was calculated from laboratory-measured K2O (K K2O · 0.8301).z1 lb/yard3 0.5933 kg m–3.Table 3. Analysis of fresh mushroom compost on a dry weight 0.890.230.360.090.170.180.01 360.430.050.020.02Parameter measuredzOrganic matterCarbonTotal nitrogenOrganic nitrogenAmmonium SulfurSodiumAluminumIronManganeseCopperZinczFresh mushroom compost samples (n 30) were collected in 1-gal (3.8 L) containers and analyzed by theAgricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Pennsylvania State University, University Park) from Jan. 2005through Apr. 2005. Mushroom compost samples were first oven-dried to remove moisture and then analyzed ona dry weight basis. Actual phosphorus (P) was calculated from laboratory-measured P2O5 (P P2O5 · 0.4365),and actual potassium (K) was calculated from laboratory-measured K2O (K K2O · 0.8301).compost at a very low average rangeof 0.01% to 0.18% (wet weight), 0.03to 1.07 lb/yard3 (wet volume), or0.02% to 0.43% (dry weight) (Tables1–3). This information is consistentwith previous findings on the micronutrient content of aged mushroomcompost (Wuest and Fahy, 1992).451
TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT REPORTSAMOUNT OF N AND P PER ACRE.The amount of plant nutrients suppliedon a per acre basis is useful in field orhorticultural crop production to determine nutrients provided by compostand those needed from additional fertilizer inputs (Brady and Weil, 1996).To uniformly apply 1-inch-thick freshmushroom compost to 1 acre of landwould require 40 tons/acre or 139yard3/acre of fresh mushroom compost as calculated from an averageTable 4. Amount of plant nutrientsfrom fresh mushroom compostapplied to 1 acre (0.4 ha).ParametermeasuredSolidsMoistureOrganic matterCarbonTotal nitrogenOrganic nitrogenAmmonium 34280683941241501767zCalculation based on applying a 1-inch (2.5 cm)thickness of fresh mushroom compost on a wet volumebasis to 1 acre of land, which requires 139 yard3/acre(262.6 m3 ha–1) or 40 tons/acre (89.7 Mg ha–1) freshmushroom compost calculated from an average bulkdensity of 575 lb/yard3 (341.1 kg m–3) and information from Table 2. Actual phosphorus (P) was calculated from laboratory-measured P2O5 (P P2O5 ·0.4365), and actual potassium (K) was calculated fromlaboratory-measured K2O (K K2O · 0.8301); 1 lb/acre 1.1209 kg ha–1.bulk density of 575 lb/yard3 (Table4). A 1-inch-thick layer of mushroomcompost is typically applied to agricultural fields in Pennsylvania (Wuestet al., 1995). Forty tons of materialwould supply 891 lb total N, of which29 lb is in the form of ammonium Nand 862 lb is in the form of organicN (Table 4). With the recent increasein synthetic fertilizer costs (Torres,2008), N supplied from fresh mushroom compost could help meet plantnutrient needs while reducing expensesby needing less fertilizer inputs (Stewartet al., 1998). Also, 40 tons/acre of freshmushroom compost results in 232 lb ofP being applied (Table 4). Informationon P on a per-acre basis is useful fordeveloping and maintaining soil nutrient management plans and practices(Jones, 2003).SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO. Although SAR is typically based on concentration of ions in solution (Carter,1993), a calculated (Swift, 2009) estimate from 40 tons fresh mushroomcompost applied to 1 acre results inSAR 0.38. A SAR ‡15 would typically indicate excess Na accumulationcompared with Ca and Mg, and thatsodium would be adsorbed by soil clayparticles, thus causing problems withsoil aggregation and drainage, as wellas inhibiting water absorption by plantroots (Brady and Weil, 1996).PARTICLE SIZE. On average, 91%of fresh mushroom compost particlesmeasured 3/8 inch in diameter, with 8% at 3/8 to 5/8 inch, and 1% at5/8 to 1 inch (Table 5). No particleswere measured 1 inch in diameter.Overall, this material is of a consistentand uniform size and is easy to handle,apply, and distribute to lawns, landscapes, sports fields, and agriculturalfields, and is amendable for most horti-Table 5. Particle size distribution of fresh mushroom compost on a wet e diam (inches)z‡2 inch1–2 inch5/8–1 inch3/8–5/8 inch1/8–3/8 inch 1/8 inchzFresh mushroom compost samples (n 30) were collected in 1-gal (3.8 L) containers and analyzed by theAgricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (Pennsylvania State University, University Park) from Jan. 2005through Apr. 2005. Mushroom compost samples were analyzed ‘‘as is’’ when received at the laboratory for particlesize measurements on a wet weight basis; 1 inch 2.54 cm.452cultural uses (Landschoot and McNitt,1994; Stoffella and Kahn, 2001).In Pennsylvania, the state legislature has recently reclassified fresh mushroom compost from an agriculturalwaste product to now listing it as afertilizer and soil amendment (American Mushroom Institute, unpublisheddata). While stockpiled outdoor or passively aged mushroom compost hasbeen used for many agricultural andhorticultural purposes, the accumulation of weed seeds deposited into thatmaterial by nature has provided challenges to the end user, as well as the costand maintenance of storing that material by the mushroom industry (Rinker,2002). In conclusion, fresh mushroomcompost should be considered a viable,recycled agricultural product useful asa soil amendment or natural organicfertilizer, and could potentially be surface-applied or incorporated into soil orplant growth media. The methods usedto grow white button mushrooms arevery similar among the farms in southeastern Pennsylvania (Beyer, 2003;Wuest, 1982). Therefore, results ofthe analysis of fresh mushroom compost in this report should be representative of the chemical and physicalproperties throughout that material asproduced in Pennsylvania.Literature citedAcquaah, G. 2009. Horticulture, principles and practices. Prentice Hall, UpperSaddle River, NJ.Beyer, D.M. 2003. Basic procedures forAgaricus mushroom growing. Pennsylvania State Univ., Coop. Ext., UniversityPark.Brady, N.C. and R.R. Weil. 1996. Thenature and properties of soils. PrenticeHall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.Carter, M.R. 1993. Soil sampling andmethods of analysis. CRC Press, BocaRaton, FL.Chang, S.T. and P.G. Miles. 1989. Ediblemushrooms and their cultivation. CRCPress, Boca Raton, FL.Chang, S.T. and W.A. Hayes. 1978. Thebiology and cultivation of edible mushrooms. Academic Press, New York.Chong, C. and D.L. Rinker. 1994. Use ofspent mushroom substrate for growingcontainerized woody ornamentals: Anoverview. Compost Sci. Util. 2:45–53.Chong, C., D.L. Rinker, and R.A. Cline.1991b. A comparison of five spent mushroom composts for container culture of April 2010 20(2)
ornamental shrubs. Mushroom Sci. 13:637–644.quality of transplants. J. Amer. Soc. Hort.Sci. 109:693–697.Chong, C., R.A. Cline, and D.L. Rinker.1991a. Growth and mineral nutritionstatus of containerized woody species inmedia amended with spent mushroomcompost. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116:242–247.Lohr, V.I., S.H. Wang, and J.D. Wolt.1984b. Physical and chemical characteristics of fresh and aged spent mushroomcompost. HortScience 19:681–683.Davis, D.D., L.J. Kuhns, and T.L. Harpster.2006. Use of mushroom compost to suppress artillery fungi. J. Environ. Hort.24:212–215.Eaton, A.D., L.S. Clesceri, E.W. Rice,A.E. Greenberg, and M.H. Franson.2005. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 21st ed.United Book Press, Baltimore.Fidanza, M.A. and D.D. Davis. 2009.Recycled mushroom compost suppressesbird’s nest fungi in landscape mulch. J.Environ. Hort. 27:238–240.Foth, H.D. 1984. Fundamentals of soilscience. Wiley, New York.Jones, J.B. 2003. Agronomic handbook:Management of crops, soils, and theirfertility. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.Landschoot, P.J. and A.S. McNitt. 1994.Improving turf with compost. Biocycle35:54–57.Landschoot, P.J. and A.S. McNitt. 2005.Using spent mushroom substrate (mushroom soil) as a soil amendment to improve turf. Pennsylvania State Univ.,Coop. Ext., University Park.Maher, M.J. 1991. Spent mushroomcompost (SMS) as a nutrient source inpeat based potting substrate. MushroomSci. 13:645–652.Maher, M.J. 1994. The use of spentmushroom substrate as an organic manure and plant substrate component.Compost Sci. Util. 2:37–44.Norris, D. 2009. Mushrooms. Natl. Agr.Stat. Serv., Agr. Stat. Board, U.S. Dept.Agr., Washington, DC.Philippoussis, A., G.I. Zervakis, P.Diamantpoulou, K. Papadopoulou, andC. Ehaliotis. 2004. Use of spent mushroom compost as a substrate for plantgrowth and against plant infections causedby Phytophthora. Mushroom Sci. 16:579–584.Rinker, D.L. 2002. Handling and using‘‘spent’’ mushroom substrates around theworld, p. 43–60. In: J.E. Sanchez, D.J.Royse, and G. Hernandez (eds.). Proc. 4thIntl. Conf. Mushroom Biol. MushroomProducts, 20–23 Feb. 2002, Cuernavaca,México.Romaine, C.P. and E.J. Holcomb. 2001.Spent mushroom substrate: A novel multifunctional constituent of potting mediumfor plants. Mushroom News 49:4–15.Lemaire, F., A. Dartigues, and L.M. Riviere.1985. Properties of substrate made withspent mushroom compost. Acta Hort.172:13–29.Rupert, D.R. 1995. Use of spent mushroom substrate in stabilizing disturbedand commercial sites. Compost Sci. Util.3:80–83.Lohr, V.I., R.G. O’Brien, and D.L. Coffey.1984a. Spent mushroom compost in soilless media and its effect on the yield andStamets, P. 2000. Growing gourmet andmedicinal mushrooms. Ten Speed Press,Berkeley, CA. April 2010 20(2)Steel, R.G.D. and J.H. Torrie. 1980. Principles and procedures of statistics: A biometrial approach. McGraw Hill, New York.Stewart, D.P.C., K.C. Cameron, and I.S.Cornforth. 1998. Effects of spent mushroom substrate on soil chemical conditionsand plant growth in an intensive horticultural system: A comparison with inorganicfertiliser. Aust. J. Soil Res. 36:185–198.Stoffella, P.J. and B.A. Kahn. 2001. Compost utilization in horticultural croppingsystems. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL.Swift, C.E. 2009. Sodium adsorption ratio(SAR). 12 Nov. 2009. ar .Torres, C. 2008. No relief in sight for highfertilizer prices. 9 May 2008. http://www.lancasterfarming.com/node/1246 .Tyler, R.W. 1996. Winning the organicsgame. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.Wang, S.H.L., V.I. Lohr, and D.L. Coffey.1984. Spent mushroom compost as a soilamendment for vegetables. J. Amer. Soc.Hort. Sci. 109:698–702.Westerman, R.L. 1990. Soil testing andplant analysis. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer., Madison,WI.Wuest, P.J. 1982. Penn State handbookfor commercial mushroom growers.Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, PA.Wuest, P.J. and H.K. Fahy. 1992. Spentmushroom compost: Its origins and components and impact on water quality.Mushroom News 40:27–33.Wuest, P.J., H.K. Fahy, and J. Fahy.1995. Use of spent mushroom substrate(SMS) for corn (maize) production and itseffect on surface water quality. CompostSci. Util. 3:46–50.453
post (American Mushroom Institute, unpublished data). An estimated 650,000 to 700,000 yard3 of fresh mushroom compost are generated annually by the mushroom industry in Pennsylvania (American Mush-room Institute, unpublished data; Fidanza and Davis, 2009). The ob-jective of this project was to
The first Agrodok on ‘Small-scale mushroom cultivation’, Agrodok no. 40, describes the technique of mushroom cultivation on substrates that only need heat treatment. Certain mushroom species however, like the Rice Straw Mushroom (Volvariella spp.) and the Button Mushroom (Agaricus spp.) c
ORGANIC MUSHROOM CULTIVATION MANUAL 3 What makes up a Mushroom 1. Cap: the top part of the mushroom that grows upward.When fully grown, mushroom caps will spread out like an umbrella, e.g. the Straw Mushroom, Ch
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equipment to produce mushroom spawn for rural development projects. In the long run, the ARC's lab space can be used to produce low-cost mushroom spawn for mushroom cultivation projects. The following are short protocols for the production of nutritive agar, mushroom spawn, and mushroom-growing substrate. A. Agar medium for oyster mushrooms
required to start mushroom production are the following: growing room: UGX 800 000 (USD 219.12); and solar dryer: UGX 700 000 (USD 191.73). 2.2 Mushroom market prices: dried mushroom: UGX 30 000 (USD 8.22) per kg; and fresh mushroom: UGX 8 000 (USD 2.19) per kg. The costs, prices and exchange rates mentioned in this practice .
The mushroom farm compost community is proud of its recycling of agricultural byproducts to reducing inputs on the farm and at the packaging and processing facilities, the U.S. mushroom farm community is embracing environmental management and creating a stronger, more sustainable future for its farms and neighbors.
Mushroom Garden Tips Fungal mycelium will decompose the pile of chips over time. Compost, or Mix in more wood chips every spring to keep your mushroom patch alive and actively fruiting. Growing Mushrooms on the Kitchen Counter Kits: 25-45 Homemade Indoor Mushroom Gardens
224 Communicating in the 21st Century Essay writing ‘The essay is a form of refined torture. Discuss.’ You almost certainly will never encounter such an essay topic, but you might think it.
