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Short time method of composting for cultivation of button mushroom

[Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach]

Article in Research on Crops · January 2020

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Res. on Crops 21 (1) : 106-112 (2020)
With two figures
Printed in India
Short time method of composting for cultivation of button
mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach]
ALBERT AKHMEDOVICH KHAKIMOV1,*, MIRAKBAR ABZALOVICH ZUPAROV1 AND
RISQIBOY ABDIEVICH GULMURODOV2
Department of Agrobiotechnology
1

Tashkent State Agrarian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2
Department of Plant Pathology
Tashkent State Agrarian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
*(e-mail : alberthakimov@mail.ru)
(Received : March 08, 2020/Accepted : March 24, 2020)
ABSTRACT
In many countries of the world, the button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange)
Imbach] is grown on a production basis, now an intensive method of cultivation is being
introduced in Uzbekistan as well. This article discusses the results of cultivation of button
mushroom in standard (conventional) compost and by a short time method of composting
of substrate. Advantages and disadvantages of growing mushroom on standard (traditional)
compost have been compared with a method of growing button mushroom on a short time
composted substrate, which is recommended for production. Comparing to traditionally
prepared compost, on button mushroom cultivation with short composting substrate the
development period was reduced by seven days and ready substrate was increased by 12-
18%. The yield of fruit bodies of button mushroom (A. bisporus) increased by 16.7% in
proportion to the control variant and made 10.5 kg/m2.

Key words : Agaricus bisporus, button mushroom, compost, composting method,

productivity

INTRODUCTION al., 2017; Khakimov et al., 2018).

White button mushroom (Agaricus
World production of cultivated, edible bisporus) farming is highly based on scientific
mushrooms has increased more than 30-fold and engineering activity involving four steps :
since 1978, and by 2013 this indication composting, conditioning, spawning and casing
constituted 34.8 mln tonnes (Royse et al., (Kariaga et al., 2012). This mushroom is
2016). China is the main producer of cultivated, cultivated on compost, a specially prepared
edible mushrooms as it cultivated more than selective medium produced by bioconversion
30 mln tonnes of mushroom in 2013 (CEFA, of agro-industrial, forestry and household
2014). organic/inorganic matters that favours growth
Five main genera make 85% of total of the mushrooms by practical exclusion of
cultivated mushrooms and out of them other microorganisms (Femor et al., 1985).
Lentinula makes 22%, Pleurotus – 19%, Thus, the process of composting for button
Auricularia – 17%, Agaricus – 15% and mushroom production is a solid-state
Flammulina 11%. In 2013, 54% (2.37 mln fermentation process based on succession of
tonnes) of worldwide cultivated button thermophilic microbes and self heating of
mushroom–Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach substrate (Van Lier et al., 1994; Minh and
was produced by China, 9% (409 thousand Tham, 2019).
tonnes) by the share of the USA, 285 thousand Generally, composting refers to the
tonnes by Poland, 270 thousand tonnes by piling of substrates for a certain period of time
Netherlands and 250 thousand tonnes by India and the changes due to the activities of various
(Royse et al., 2016). Now-a-days, intensive microorganisms, which result in a composted
production of this mushroom is being substrate that is chemically and physically
implemented in Uzbekistan too (Khakimov et different from the starting material. This is
 Growing of button mushroom on a short time composted substrate 107

sometimes referred to as solid-state Compost preparation Phase 1 can be

fermentation. Through composting, a mixture divided provisionally into following two phases :
of rich organic materials is converted into a
stable medium that is selective for the growth Ph0 : Preparation phase in which wheat
of a particular mushroom but is not suitable, straw arrangement, its spread, wetting and
or is less favourable, for the growth of threshing with any heavy object or wheeled
competing microorganisms. The competitors tractor are performed, and then supplemented
exist in uncomposted materials, and often in broiler chicken manure and mineral additives.
partially composted materials, but they are far
less active in well-composted mushroom Ph 1 : Fermentation run. This phase
substrates (Miles ang Chang, 2004; Nguyen and includes the processes of heaping soft wheat
Ranamukhaarachchi, 2019). straw, piling and after 3-5 days initial turning
A number of factors are considered to and for enough aeration next turnings.
be important in industrial mushroom
cultivation, since quality of nutrient media MATERIALS AND METHODS
substrates plays a basic role among them.
Being a conventional substrate for cultivation The experiments were conducted in
of button mushrooms, horse manure deficiency champignon cultivation rooms of “Buka oltin
and scarcity of several matters for the kuz” farm in Buka district of Tashkent region
improvement of its content have set a task of (Uzbekistan). There were four mushroom
preparing alternative substrate for practical cultivating vegetation rooms, each has total
mushroom growers. For preparing button area of 93.5 m2 (17.0 × 5.5 m), with five storied
mushroom the mixture of less horse manure stillage in two rows, and the surface of stillage
(20-40%) with substrate is called half-synthetic is 23.4 m2 (1.5 × 15.6 m). Total utilized area
compost, while zero horse manure in the (button growing area) in a chamber consists of
substrate refers to synthetic compost. Today, 234 m2 (23.4 × 10 stillage). The cultivation of
in many countries different sourced composts A. bisporus in chamber is performed under
i. e. chicken, cattle and sheep manure, leaves single zonal method, that is, substrate
of trees, wheat straw of cereal crops, maize cob pasteurization and mushroom fruit-body
and maize stalk, beer industry waste, vineyard cultivation in one chamber.
wastes and other components are being used
in order to produce button mushroom. By Substrate content : wheat straw–1000
adding cereals wheat straw to substrate the kg, broiler chicken manure–1000 kg, lime–40
structure of substrate is improved, enough kg, gypsum–40 kg, urea–30 kg. Substrate
aeration is provided, and the volume of compost amount pasteurized in 1 m2 area made 55-60
is increased. As well as, an important indication kg. For experiments were used A-15 strain of
of compost C : N ratio (Carbon : Nitrogen ratio) A. bisporus which is widely used in world
is neutralized (Rancheva, 1990; Dvornina, mushroom growing practices and I-24 strains
1990). which were produced by our investigations.
For the cultivation of button mushroom The norm of mushroom spawn was 0.4
the compost preparation involves some phases kg/m2. The surface of accounting area was 4
(Safray, 2000) : m2 and the experiments were performed in four
repetitions. The influence of conventional
Phase 1 : Necessary components are method and suggested short time composting
prepared for compost in this phase following method on finished compost production, button
fermentation occurrence. mushroom yield and other important
indications were studied in the experiment.
Phase 2 : Compost is pasteurized and Having prepared casing soil mixtures,
compost conditioning is arranged. disinfection was carried out on soil by thermal
treatment or spraying formalin solution. Casing
Phase 3 : Compost is placed in stillage, soil mixture was left at 60-70ºC temperature
box or plastic bags and then mushroom spawn during 3-4 h under thermal treatment. For
is inoculated in compost, mycelium growth is disinfection with formalin, its 3.5-4% solution
observed in the compost. was applied under the ratio of one tonnes of
108 Khakimov, Zuparov and Gulmurodov

casing soil to 20-30 l of solution. Forty per cent availability for continual supplements, zero
formalin was prepared by mixing water at the requirement for additional devices to ventilate
volume ratio of 1 : 9. Formalin mixed casing and possibility to control easily the
soil was covered with polyethylene plastics and continuation of composting), it features some
left under sunlight within 3-4 days. It was noted disadvantages too :
that while disinfecting with formalin it could
manifest effectiveness at the temperature 1. Long continuation of compost preparing
higher than 15ºC. In order to get rid of formalin process.
waste, it was well mixed and ventilated before 2. Much loss of dry matter amount in
using casing soil or storing it. After compost compost content.
was covered fully with mushroom mycelium, 3. Long-term heating of the pile and heat
casing layer was placed on the surface of spread around.
compost in plastic bags or stillage and the cover 4. Emission of most harmful volatile
layer was 3.5-4 cm thick. Microclimatic substances to atmosphere and
parameters (Table 1) for mushroom growing in environmental contamination.
cultivation rooms were determined by generally
accepted practices (Nurmetov and Devochkina, Considering all the above mentioned,
2010). we can suggest that the standard i. e.
conventional compost preparation technology
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION is to be improved by reducing the time for
substrate mixing, providing optimal
Although a standard method of button temperature regime and preventing excessive
mushroom cultivation (Table 2) has several heating of the piles.
advantages (compost is evaluated by This recommended method of compost
organoleptic point of view easily, there is preparation not only reduces long substrate

Table 1. Microclimatic parameters in the growing chamber during the cultivation of button mushroom (Nurmetov and Devochkina,
2010)

Cultivation Temperature (°C) Relative air Illumination CO2 Need for air circulation Microclimate control
processes humidity concentration
Substrate Air (%) in air (%)

Mushroom spawn 24-26 21-23 90-95 - 1. 5-2. 0 Required when substrate Air and substrate
inoculation and temperature is above temperature
process of mycelium 27-28°C
growth in the compost
Putting casing soil, 22-24 20-22 90-95 - 1. 5-2. 0 Air and substrate
mushroom mycelium temperature
coloniation in the
casing soil
Pinning, primordia 18-20 15-17 85-90 - 0. 1> Reducing temperature, Air and substrate
formation process and should be ventilated temperature
Fruit body maturation, 15-17 15-17 85-90 - 0. 1> 4-8 times a day to
cropping process maintain normal of CO2

Table 2. Standard compost preparation practices for the cultivation of button mushroom

Composting time Process and practices Additives per 1 tonne of dry

(days) wheat straw

1-7 Preparing, placing and wetting the wheat straw Water–2500-3000 litre
Mixing of chicken manure or other components Chicken manure–0, 9-1 tonne
7-11 Softening the wheat straw, mixing the base, Water–0.5 litre
piling, watering (if necessary)
11 Fermentation, piling Water–400-600 litres
13 Adding gypsum, turning the pile Gypsum–60 kg
Water–400-600 litres
18 Turning substrate layers during composting Water–200-400 litres
22 Turning substrate layers Water (if necessary)
25 Turning substrate layers -
26 For pasteurization the substrate is ready -
 Growing of button mushroom on a short time composted substrate 109

Table 3. Short time composting method

Composting time Process and practices Additives per 1 tonne of dry

(days) wheat straw

1-4 Preparing and wetting the wheat straw, piling and Water–4000-4500 litres
covering it with polyethylene film
5 Mixing with chicken manure, moistening the wheat straw Broiler chicken manure–1000 kg
6-7 Moistening the wheat straw, mixing the base and loose Water (if necessary)
piling, covering with film
8 Piling -
12 The first turning -
14 The second turning and adding gypsum or lime Gypsum–40 kg+Lime–40 kg
16 The third turning -
17 The fourth turning -
Thermal treatment of substrate (ready for pasteurization)

preparation time, but also prevents rapid loss efficacy. The impact of method of substrate
of substrate mass during fermentation. Short preparation on the productivity of button
time compost preparation method is presented mushroom and yielding intensity was studied
below (Table 3). in the experiments. It should be stated that
Thus, during the compost fermentation the formation of fruits in finished substrate
process it is possible to control the temperature began two days earlier in short composting
of compost by reducing the time between the method than standard method. In most cases,
pile tunings. Substrate temperature doesn’t rise an active yield of button mushroom involves 3,
up to 70ºC in this short time composting 4 sequences. This sequence refers to the
method, while in conventional composting yielding between the harvest which starts after
method substrate heats strongly and another with some days interval.
temperature rises over 70ºC. In finished substrate prepared under
The data obtained from the researches short time method of composting 3.8 kg of yield
are confirmed by Holland scientist Gerrits of I-24 strain of A. bisporus per 1 m2 was
(Gerrits, 1989) who had stated that it was obtained in the first week, at the same time in
expedient to prepare synthetic substrate within control variant 2.7 kg of yield was harvested
13-16 days not damaging its quality. (Figs. 1 and 2). Total productivity in the variant
The loss of substrate mass in compost under short time composting method
preparation is one of main factors. Substrate constituted 10.5 kg/m2, while in control variant
production out of one tonne of dry wheat straw of conventional method this indication showed
(with moisture of 13-14%) was calculated under 9.0 kg/m2. In result, 1.5 kg/m2 extra yield was
conventional (standard) composting and short obtained comparing to control variant. Button
time composting methods in our investigations mushroom yield made 19.1 kg (extra yield 2.74
(Table 4). kg) when taken relatively to 100 kg of finished
The yield of fruit bodies of button pasteurized compost, while in control (standard)
mushroom is an indication of substrate variant this indication was 16.36 kg (Table 5).

Table 4. The influence of compost preparing method on substrate production

S. No. Parameters Preparation method

Standard Short
(conventional) time

1. Initial mass of wetted mixtures (wheat straw, broiler chicken manure and others) (kg) 6600 6400
2. Loss of substrate mass during compost preparation (kg) 3200 2400
Loss of substrate mass during compost preparation (%) 48.4 37.5
3. Finished substrate production for pasteurization (kg) 3400 4000
4. Duration of compost preparation (days) 26 17
 110

Table 5. Yield parameters of fruit bodies of button mushroom in the substrates prepared under short time method and standard methods (Tashkent region, Buka
district "Buka oltin kuz" farm)

Variants Productivity (on account of 55-60 kg compost per 1 m2) Productivity

relative to 100
Week-1 Week-2 Week-3 Week-4 Total Extra yield relative kg of
yield to control pasteurized
kg/m2 Relative to kg/m2 Relative to kg/m2 Relative to kg/m2 Relative to (kg/m2) substrate (kg)
total yield total yield total yield total yield kg %
(%) (%) (%) (%)

Substrate prepared 3.8 36.2 3.6 34.3 1.8 17.1 1.3 12.4 10.5 1. 5 16.7 19.1
under short time 36.2 70.5 87.6 100
method
Substrate prepared 2.7 30.0 3.26 36.2 1.77 19.7 1.27 14.1 9.0 - - 16.36
under standard 30.0 66.2 85.9 100
method (control)
Khakimov, Zuparov and Gulmurodov
 Growing of button mushroom on a short time composted substrate 111

Fig. 1. Compost preparation.

relatively to 100 kg of finished pasteurized

compost, and in control (standard) variant this
indication was 16.36 kg.

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