Evaluation of different organic wastes for cultivation for bottom mushroom and their effect on yield and nutrient intake

Agaricus bisporus is the most important industrially cultivated edible mushroom. Using organic wastes as substrate for cultivation of edible mushroom can provide a perfect solution for disposal of these waste materials and is part of the world's food requirements. In this study to investigate the usability of various organic wastes as growing bed for button mushroom, four types of substrate were used including Fresh Mushroom Compost (FMC), Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC), Municipal Solid Waste compost (MSW) and Vermicompost (VER). The results showed the effect of different substrates on mushroom yield is significant at 1% and treatment FMC with average 503.5 g, accounted for the highest yield. Furthermore, no mushroom was produced in vermicompost substrate, which it can be due to inappropriate physical, chemical characteristics and C/N ratio in this bed. Mushroom protein was also affected by the type of substrate and the highest percentage of protein was found in MSW treatment, which can be probably due to the higher content of available nitrogen in this substrate. Also there were significant differences between the level of mineral elements in treatments and the highest level of phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron and zinc was observed in the MSW treatment. The results of this study indicate that municipal solid waste compost has potential for use as a substrate of cultivation of Agaricus bisporus but more research is needed to determine the appropriate formulation. Also in relation to contamination of municipal solid waste compost should be cautious.