Abstract
In this article, we describe the use of spent mushroom compost (SMC), which was dehydrated through a composting process, as a bulking agent. We studied SMC composting for 28 days using a 430-L reactor, and further assessed the potential of SMC as a bulking agent based on characteristics such as moisture content and volatile fatty acid content. We found that SMC could be dehydrated the moisture content of 37.8 %,w.b. in the composting process, which required only 19.8 % of the energy required by a fire dryer. Moreover, composted SMC as a bulking agent was more efficient in improving aeration than non-composted SMC; the total aeration required during the composting process was 57 % of that required by non-composted SMC. Further, composted SMC caused less plant growth inhibition compared with non-composted SMC.
