Articles
COMPOSTING IN AERATED TUNNELS FOR MUSHROOM CULTIVATION: INFLUENCES OF PROCESS TEMPERATURE AND SUBSTRATE FORMULATION ON COMPOST BULK DENSITY AND PRODUCTIVITY
Article number
469_44
Pages
417 – 426
Language
Abstract
Odour pollution is a major problem associated with traditional methods of preparing mushroom compost.
Two partially enclosed composting processes were compared in terms of mushroom yield, compost density and odour pollution.
The processes were a single tunnel system, based on a standard Phase II pasteurisation, and a two tunnel system, where a Phase II tunnel process was preceded by a six day, lower aeration, ‘high’ temperature phase.
Two partially enclosed composting processes were compared in terms of mushroom yield, compost density and odour pollution.
The processes were a single tunnel system, based on a standard Phase II pasteurisation, and a two tunnel system, where a Phase II tunnel process was preceded by a six day, lower aeration, ‘high’ temperature phase.
There were no significant odour emissions from either the single or 2-tunnel composting systems.
The 2-tunnel process resulted in a compost with a higher bulk density and mushroom yield potential than the single tunnel process.
The addition of a low rate of cellulase enzyme did not affect the bulk density or mushroom yield potential of the compost.
Mushroom yields and bulk densities from the 2-tunnel system, using compost prepared with chopped straw and a proportion of recycled compost, were not significantly different to those obtained from conventionally prepared composts.
Authors
R. Noble, R.H. Gaze
Keywords
Agaricus bisporus, cellulase enzymes, odour pollution, recycled compost
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