THE EFFECT OF REDUCTION IN TERMINATION PERIODS UNDER CONVENTIONAL METHOD OF COMPOSTING ON CULTIVATION OF AGARICUS BISPORUS (LANGE) SING
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Date
1999
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu
Abstract
Studies on "The effect of reduction in termination periods under conventional method of composting on cultivation of agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing." were undertaken during 1996-97. The quantity of finished compost showed a declining trend with the increase in period of composting. The quantity of finished compost from 3q of wheat straw was 6.50, 5.70 and 4.20q after 20, 24 and 28 days of composting respectively. The per cent increase in compost yield was 54.76 and 35.71 in 20 and 24 days old compost as against the conventional compost. The composts of different durations did not differ in their potential
to support various growth phases of the button mushroom viz., initiation, full Spawn run, piercing, case run and compacting. The fruiting behaviour of button mushroom on composts of different durations showed a resembling trend. The buttons were clumpy and patchy during the first and second week and in singles thereafter. The weekly turnover of mushroom up to seven weeks of cropping revealed that more than 70% of the total sporophore yield was obtained in first four weeks in all the treatments. The sporophore number/kg of mushroom and average fruit body weight differed slightly. This incidence of moulds varied among the compost treatments. Coprinus sp. apppeared on 20 and 24 days composts during spawn run but in all the three treatments during case run. Brown plaster mould appeared on all the treatments during spawn run. Green and pink moulds were also recorded in isolated cases The relative economics of the three composts reveal that net profit per kg of mushroom is 16.28, 15.23 and 11.86 respectively from 20, 21 and 28 days composts with a corresponding cost-benefit ratio of 1:2.8, 1:2.5 and 1:1.8. The present investigation reveals that composting for Agaricus bisporus can be reduced from 28 days to 20 days without affecting the selectivity of the compost. Besides, the reduction in period of composting yields more compost, enhanced sporophore yield and better cost-benefit ratio.
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