Abstract
In this study, we carried out the button mushroom cultivation tests on media covered with peat moss which induces primordia in order to improve the mushroom yield. By the peat moss's properties of high density and low water absorption rate, the yield increased 1.5-1.7 times compared to the past test results, which achieved the target value (150-250 kg/1000kg compost) for management of button mushroom production. Since the button mushroom requires a relatively long cultivation period, it greatly influences on the medium composition. It is presumed that composition of fruit bodies will change depending on the difference of medium composition. Therefore, the effect of the differences in harvest time on the composition of fruit bodies was investigated. The composition of fruit bodies varied due to the occurring time. We found that the amount of protein increased in the fruit bodies occurred later. The mushroom waste beds were used for the cultivation of leaf vegetables by the general application method of compost. The growth of Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) somewhat diminished, but the growth of Chingensai (Bok choy) were equal or higher compared to the control. These results led us to conclude that the waste bed were usable for agricultural purpose.
