Changing Spent Mushroom Substrate into a Quality Vermicompost

Abstract

Safety food and healthy food gain widespread popularity nowadays. In Thailand, mushroom consumption is increasing because of its high protein content and role as an effective stimulant of various immune system functions. As mushroom farmers’ respond to this demand, the need for sustainable waste management of mushroom cultivation has become important. Therefore, the study examined the growth and reproduction of earthworm and chemical properties of Eudrilus eugeniae vermicompost cultured under different ratio of spent mushroom substrate. The study found that application of bedding with spent mushroom substrate at the ratio 60:40 gave the highest growth rate of earthworms (2.5%) and had the highest increase in nutrient content (Total N, P, K, Mg, Ca) and had the highest decrease in the value of pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and C/N ratio significantly. Based on these results, application of bedding with spent mushroom substrate at the ratio of 60:40 seemed to be the most suitable for vermicompost production. In general, recycling of spent mushroom substrate through vermicomposting may reduce the environmental stress and can produce organic fertilizers with better chemical and biological properties.