Composting based on moderately thermophilic and aerobic conditions for the production of commercial mushroom growing compost

Abstract

Mushroom compost was prepared using an enclosed, environmentally controlled composting (ECC) method, designed to promote rapid substrate decomposition and subsequent establishment of ecological conditions favourable to mushroom culture. Composting aerobically. usually at 54�C early in processing followed by 47�C for the majority of processing. produced a compost ready for spawning in 6-8 days. Final compost had a bulk density of 486 kg/m3 (range 440-510 kg/m3) at 70.4% moisture (range 66-75%) and produced average fresh mushroom yields of 19.4 kg per bed m2 (range 22.7-17.3/m2), or 0.66 kg per kg dry compost, in a 3 flush cropping cycle. Disease, or growth of competitive fungi, was not observed. Composting odours were greatly reduced compared to traditional methods. The processing control and uniformity of the ECC method offer much potential for detailed investigation into compost production and ecological and chemical factors in mushroom nutrition.