Evaluation of substrates for optimizing vermicomposting products

The high global market value of fresh mushrooms implies high importance of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as a by-product that poses environmental challenges, if not properly treated. Reported studies demonstrate the positive effects of SMS on earthworm growth and reproduction, particularly when com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioresources 2024-11, Vol.19 (4), p.718
Main Authors: Dejene, W, Natarajan, P, Ayele, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological activity
Bioremediation
Carbon
Carbon/nitrogen ratio
Cattle manure
Composting
Dung
Global marketing
Market value
Microbial activity
Microorganisms
Mushrooms
Nitrogen
Nutrient dynamics
Organic carbon
Organic phosphorus
Plant growth
Potassium
Substrates
Total organic carbon
Variance analysis
Vermicomposting
Worms
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Summary:The high global market value of fresh mushrooms implies high importance of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as a by-product that poses environmental challenges, if not properly treated. Reported studies demonstrate the positive effects of SMS on earthworm growth and reproduction, particularly when combined with other substrates such as cow dung (CD). This study utilized SMS and CD as substrates in varying ratios. A total of 375 young non-clitellated Eisenia fetida were randomly assigned to plastic containers, ensuring similar average individual worm weight, and maintained at 50% to 60% moisture. Weekly observations were made on earthworm average weight, cocoon production, and hatchling count. The growth and reproduction of earthworms differed significantly among treatments, with Treatment 3 (T3) (50:50 SMS and CD) showing the highest growth and Treatment 5 (T5) (0:100 SMS and CD) the lowest. Changes in pH, EC, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total organic carbon (TOC), C/N ratio, and total available phosphorus (TAP) were observed over the experimental period, indicating dynamic nutrient dynamics within the substrates. The exchangeable potassium decreased with increasing proportions of CD, while the exchangeable sodium content showed variation across treatments. The observed variations can be attributed to differences in initial substrate composition and microbial activity during vermicomposting.
ISSN:1930-2126
DOI:10.15376/biores.19.4.7183-7194