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Quality Assessment of Compost Prepared from Spent Mushroom Substrate

R Ashrafi
Horticulture Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MM Rahman
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

M Jahiruddin
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MH Mian
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Disposal of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) generated by the mushroom production industry has an adverse effect on the environment which leads to a deterioration of soil, air and water quality. Scope exists to use this substrate to produce good quality compost. The present study was done to assess the quality of SMS compost through evaluation of their characteristics and the chemical change s that occur during composting. Physical, chemical and microbial characteristics were determined by observing color, moisture (%), size reduction, weight loss, pH, EC, different nutrient contents and abundance of E. coli and Salmonella spp. The result showed an increasing trend for the pH, N, P& S concentration and a decreasing trend for EC, OC & C/N ratio during composting period. As determined, the pH value (7.38) and the C/N ratio (21) were within the recommended range that used in different countries. The concentrations of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn & B were measured as 1.17%, 0.08%, 1.04%, 0.11%, 2.76%, 0.43%, 0.51%, 0.03% and 0.01%, respectively, all of which were within the recommendation limits. Heavy metals such as Zn, Cu and Ni contents were recorded as 0.007%, 0.001%, and 0.33 ppm, respectively showing their values within the maximum allowable limits. The concentration of Pb and Cd was below the detection limit. The SMS compost was free of E. coli and Salmonella spp. Hence, all these properties indicate that the SMS can be effectively used to produce good quality compost.

Keywords: Spent mushroom substrate, Composting, Heavy metals

Location: Field Laboratory of the Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University,Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-04-2010

End Date: 00-07-2010

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Manures

Objectives:

To examining the physical, chemical and biological characteristics including heavy metals concentration at different stages of SMS composting and hence to determine their quality as a good compost.

Methodology:

Composting was done at the Field Laboratory of the Department of Soil Science, BAU, Mymensingh during April to July 2010. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was collected and then separated from the polythene bag, broken by hammer and heaped into piles over a 12 - week period. The size of compost pile was 5 ft × 2 ft × 3 ft (length × width × height). Compost pile was constructed by maintaining a layer of 8 inch height. Cowdung and grasses were applied between 2 layers for rapid composting. The composting materials were turned at 15 - day intervals over 12 weeks period and kept 1 month for curing. Compost samples were collected from the pile at prefixed time that means just after mixing of the materials (start of composting process) and after 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of composting. Samples were dried in an oven at 60°C, ground and sieved by 1- mm sieve and then analyzed to monitor the changes in physical, chemical and biological properties. Phytotoxicity test was performed with radish seeds. This test was conducted by sowing radish seed in earthen pots containing three types of soil - compost mixtures i.e. 100% soil, 100% compost and compost with soil 1:1 ratio. After germination of seed, seedlings were allowed to grow for 10 days and then uprooted carefully to observe whether any toxic symptoms were shown on the shoots and roots of the seedlings. Following active composting method, the composted material was allowed for curing over a minimum of one month to create more stable compost and to reduce the potential for plant phytotoxicity. Then the spent mushroom compost was sampled to measure physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Compost color and compost odor were observed. Moisture percentage was determined by weighing SMS compost before and after oven drying. Size reduction and weight loss percentage were measured by measuring size and weight at the beginning and end of composting. pH was determined by Corning glass electrode pH meter. The samples were analyzed after digestion with sulphuric acid for the determination of N and with nitricperchloric acid for other nutrients. Nitrogen in the digest was estimated by distilling the digest with 10N NaOH followed by titration of the distillate trapped in H₃BO₃ indicator solution with 0.01N H₂SO₄.Organic carbon was measured by dry combustion method. Phosphorus and boron was determined by spectrophotometric molybdovanadate method and the S concentration by turbidity method. The K concentration in the acid digest was determined directly by flame photometer and other nutrients viz. Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb, Ni & Cr by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The bacteriological analysis of the samples was performed by using Salmonella - Shigella (SS) agar, Nutrient Agar and Methylene Blue (EMB) agar. Isolation and identification of bacteria were done following the method. Identification of bacteria was made on the basis of colony morphology, Gra m staining reaction and biochemical test. Colony characteristics were studied after 24 hours’ of incubation at 37 ° C. Gram’s staining of the pure culture was performed according to the method described. Finally the sugar fermentation test was accomplished by inoculating a loop full of NB culture into each tube containing two basic sugars of lactose and manitol separately and incubated for 24 hours at 37°C.

Source of Information: Progressive Agriculture 25 :1-8 , 2014, ISSN: 1017-8139

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) can be effectively used to produce good quality compost. The present study showed that pH value and the concentrations of N, P& S increased and the EC, OC, C/N ratio decreased with the advancement of composting. Composting reduced the volume of solid waste prior to disposal. The SMS compost contains a good amount of micro and macro nutrients which are essential for plant growth. The concent ration of heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr was very low and were very much within the permissible limits. The SMS compost was also free of pathogenic bacteria. The SMS compost has good physical and chemical properties, with low electrical conductivity, optimal C:N ratio, optimal stability and maturity and free from pathogenic bacteria. So, it can be concluded that SMS is not just an agricultural waste but has potentiality to turn it into a good quality organic fertilizer through composting. Composting can convert mushroom waste into value added material.

Knowledge Management: Journal