AGRICULTURAL WASTES USED AS CASING MIXTURES FOR PRODUCTION OF BUTTON MUSHROOM

Indian J.Sci.Res.1(1) : 21-25, 2010 AGRICULTURAL WASTES USED AS CASING MIXTURES FOR PRODUCTION OF BUTTON MUSHROOM a1 R. C. RAM AND S. KUMAR Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India a E-mail: rcrbhumpp@yahoo.com ABSTRACT India can make rapid progress in mushroom industry by cultivating and commercializing of temperate and tropical mushrooms. But, they are still cultivated on small scale in some pockets on a specific substrates and yield potential is not satisfied due to specific casing materials. There are need to evaluate different agricultural wastes as casing materials for enhancing better growth behaviour and yield potential of mushrooms. Initiations of pinheads were recorded after (13-15 days) of casing. Minimum st time taken for harvesting of I flush by casing with CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand and non-significantly with each other nd rd treatments. Maximum time taken for harvesting of II flush with casing of VC + SD + FYM + Sand, and III flush harvested ranged of (76.67 85 days). Maximum weight of sporophore was obtained with application of casing CCP + VC + Sand, where maximum length of stalk was recorded from CCP + FYM + SD casing mixture. Finally yield of all flushes recorded, the total maximum yield was obtained by the application of CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand, which differs significantly. This study will help to mushroom growers for selection of suitable casing materials for better growth behaviour and yield potential of button mushroom. Key words: Agricultural wastes, casing, growth, yield, Agaricus bisporus Mushroom cultivation presents an economically important biotechnological industry that has distinguishly expanded all over the world in the last few years. Mushroom cultivation mainly depends on the agriculture crop residues. These crop resides are abundantly available in our country. It is primarily used as cattle feed and remaining part is burnt or spread in the field. Agro-wastes contain about 80% cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and lignin which are not easily degradable, but most of the edible fungi posses enzyme system which degrade these components. Thus mushroom cultivation can avoid environmental pollution by recycling agricultural wastes and can also convert straw into easily digestable animal feed. Huge quantities of lingo-cellulosic crop residues and other organic wastes are generated annually through the activities of agricultural, forest and food processing industries. About 385 million tones of agricultural wastes are available annually in India about half of this residue remains unused. If even one percentage of these crop residues used for mushrooms production, India will become a major mushroom producing country in the world (Tewari and Pandey, 2002). Marginal land holding farmers unable to purchase all the agricultural and essential inputs because of their higher cost and try to find out an alternative over these problems by getting loans from either by government or 1 Corresponding author private sectors. Due to unfavorable environmental conditions crop failure occurs this lads to suicides of farmers, malnutrition, poverty, hunger, unemployment. India can make rapid progress in mushroom industry by cultivating and commercializing of temperate and tropical mushrooms. But, they are still cultivated on small scale in some pockets on a specific substrates and yield potential is not satisfied due to specific casing materials. There are need to evaluate different casing materials for enhancing better growth behaviour and yield potential of button mushroom. Therefore, present investigation was selection of suitable different agricultural wastes for preparation of casing materials for better growth behaviour and yield potential of button mushroom. MATERIALSAND METHODS M ushroom culture and spawn preparation : Culture of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing. was obtained from National Research Centre for Mushroom, Chambaghat, Solan (Himachal Pradesh). This culture was subculture and maintained on PDAmedium in a BOD incubator at 25 ± 2ºC temperature. The spawns of Agaricus bisporus was prepared on wheat grains ( Triticum aestivum Linn.). 21

Compost preparation The basic materials for synthetic compost, wheat straw was taken from Agro farm. Other ingredients like wheat bran, urea, potassium (Murate of Potash), phosphorus (Single Super Phosphate), gypsum molasses and lindane were obtained from commercial out let. The compost was prepared by long method of composting (LMC), which was first advocated in India by Mantel et al. (1972). Wetted wheat straw had spread thinly over entire floor of the composting yard and then gradually wetted by sprinkling water, till the straw was taken no more water. The straw was then turned for even wetting at the stage and water content was maintained at 75 per cent. The moist straw was mixed with wheat bran and fertilizer uniformly scattered over the straw. A heap was made after each turning but not compressed tightly so as to maintain the aerobic condition in the compost heap. Gypsum was mixed at the third turning and at each turning water was sprayed to make up the loss of water due to th evaporation. Lindane insecticide was mixed at 7 turning for prevention of insects pests. Total eight turning was done and each turning at four days interval. The compost was then ready for spawning i.e. it was dark brown in colour and without any smell of ammonia and had sufficient moisture content (68-70%) when pressed between palms. Spawning The compost was mixed with mushroom spawn @ 2.5 kg/quintal compost and spawned compost was filled (4 kg/bag) in a cylindrical polythene bag (size 40 x 40 cm) and compost filled bags were covered with newspaper sheets to prevent loss of moisture content in mushroom beds. These mushroom bags were placed in growing chamber, where temperature range between 22-28ºC. Preparation of casing mixtures The selected basic material for preparation of casing soil such as Farm yard manure was obtained from Agro-farm, B.H.U. and other casing materials viz., coir pith, saw dust, vermi-compost and sand were obtained from commercial outlet Varanasi. Procedure Six casing mixture formulations viz. and used as casing for investigations. i. Coconut Coir pith + FYM + Saw dust (1:1:1). ii. Vermi compost + Saw dust + FYM + Sand (1:1:1) iii. Coconut Coir pith + FYM (1:1) iv. Coconut Coir pith + Vermi compost + FYM + Saw Dust + Sand (1:1:1:1:1) v. Vermi compost + FYM (1:1) vi. Coconut Coir pith + Vermi compost + Sand (1:1:1). First coir pith was soaked in water for 24 hours before mixing. Initially individual casing materials viz., FYM, Sawdust, coconut coir pith, sand and vermi compost were sterilized in a horizontal autoclave at a temperature of 100ºC for 20 minutes. Sterilized casing materials were taken our to cool down at normal room temperature by spreading on well cleaned cemented floor. Observation and measurement The white button mushroom needs casing it is an overlay of neutralized peat moss applied to colonized compost to stimulate pinning and fruiting of mushrooms after completion of the spawn run. The newspaper sheets were removed and the surface of compost was uniformly layered about 3.5 cm by casing formulations. The three replications were kept for each treatment. Pin heads were appeared between 13-16 days after casing and they became ready for harvesting within next one week. Observations were recorded of fruiting bodies of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. in terms of following parameters. i. Initiation of pin heads in days ii. Harvesting of flushes in days iii. Minimum, maximum and average diameter of fruit bodies (cm) iv. Minimum, maximum and average weight of fruit body (g). v. Yield from each flush and total yield (g). RESULTSAND DISCUSSION Effect of casing mixtures on growth stages of Agaricus bisporus Mushroom bags were completely colonized by mushroom mycelium within (20 days) and then covered by different casing soil for following observation of growth stages. Initiation of pin head Data pertaining to the initiation of pin heads 22

presented in Table.1 revealed that time taken for initiation of pin heads. The casing mixture of CCP + FYM +SD was taken maximum time (i.e. 38.33 days) for initiation of pin heads and CCP + VC + FYM + SD + sand taken minimum time period (i.e. 35.00 days) for initiation of pin heads. These casing mixtures deferred non-significantly among themselves. Time taken for harvesting of different flushes The data describing about the harvesting of first flush ranged between (40.67 to 44.47 days). It is evident from the Table 1 that application of two casing mixture CCP + FYM + SD and VC + SD + FYM + Sand showed significant difference in time taken for harvesting of first flush. The casing mixture CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand was taken minimum time (i.e. 40.67 days) for harvesting of first flush and maximum time (i.e. 44.67 days) by application of CCP + FYM+ SD. The present investigation with referring to the harvesting of second flush was observed that the two casing mixture i.e. VC + SD + FYM + Sand and VC + FYM taken same time period (i.e. 62.67 days) and these casing mixture differed non-significantly among themselves and the range of time taken for harvesting of second flush was found between (60.33-66.67 days). Third flush was harvested in the range of (77.33 to 85.00 days) on various casing mixtures. The performance of casing CCP + FYM + SD was better than other casing mixture. Application of casing mixture was CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand significantly different in time taken for harvesting of third flush with that of CCP + FYM + SD + Sand. The data evaluated the time taken for harvesting of fourth flush and was showed the non-significant difference between casing mixtures. It revealed information regarding total crop period. The crop period was observed maximum (i.e. 95.66 days) with application of CCP+VC + FYM + SD and VC + SD + FYM + Sand where it took (95.66 days) whereas, the crop period was minimum (i.e. 90.33 days) with application of CCP+ VC + Sand casing mixture. Effect of casing mixtures on growth parameters of ( Agaricus bisporus) : Number of sporophore Data pertaining to the number of sporophores per bag from different flushes has been given in Table 2. Maximum sporophore (i.e. 12.33) were obtained by casing mixture of CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand and minimum sporophore (i.e. 5.67) were obtained with application of casing mixture CCP + FYM. These results indicated that there was significant difference between the number of sporophore with casing of CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand and VC + FYM, CCP + VC + Sand with CCP + FYM and CCP+ FYM + SD with CCP+ FYM. Number of sporophore obtained in second flush in the range of (5.33 to 13.67). Maximum sporophores (i.e. 13.67), were obtained from the casing mixture CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand whereas, minimum sporophore (5.33) were obtained from casing mixture CCP + FYM. CCP + FYM.The result showed that the number of sporophores from third flush range between (11.00 to 10.67). The casing CCP+ VC + FYM + SD + Sand and VC + SD + FYM + Sand were performed best, followed by VC + FYM, CCP + VC + Sand and CCP + FYM. Casing mixtures CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand, VC + FYM and CCP + FYM casing mixtures significantly differ to each other. It was intended that number of sporophore always reduced in fourth flush in as compared to I, II and III flushes. Similarly, the casing st nd rd mixture CCP + VC + Sand showed minimum sporophores (i.e. 2.67) and CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand showed maximum sporophores (i.e. 6.33). Casing mixture CCP + VC + Sand and CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand deferred significantly with respect to number of sporophores. Weight of sporophores The weight of sporophores was calculated as minimum and maximum weight for each treatment. In observation, heavy weight of sporophores were obtained with the casing of CCP + VC + Sand (i.e. 42.00 gm) and less weight of sporophore were obtained with casing mixture VC + SD + FYM + Sand (i.e. of 18.33 gm). Length of stalk The length of stalk was measured under two subheading minimum and maximum for each treatment. The maximum stalk length (i.e. 3.17 cm) was measured in the casing of CCP + FYM + SD where as minimum stalk length (i.e. 2.83 cm) was measured in the casing of CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand. The length of stalk in casing CCP+ VC + FYM + SD + Sand and CCP + FYM + SD found highly significant. In case of minimum, longer stalk length (i.e. 1.90 cm) was obtained CCP + FYM + SD VC + SD + FYM + Sand and CCP 23

+ VC + FYM + SD + Sand followed by CCP + FYM, CCP + VC + Sand and VC + FYM found non-significant among them. Yield of different flushes: It is evident from the Table 2 that the highest yield of first flush obtained from the casing mixture of CCP + VC + FYM + SD + sand (i.e. 283.33 g) followed by CCP + FYM + SD, VC + FYM, VC + SD + FYM + Sand and CCP+ VC + Sand (i.e. 266.67, 216.67, 213.33 and 196.67) respectively. The casing mixture CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand and CCP + FYM showed the significant difference. Casing mixture CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand (i.e. 350 g) showed the highest (350 g) yield whereas CCP + FYM (i.e. 250 g) showed lowest yield in the harvesting of second flush. The result indicated that the significant difference between the casing VC + FYM and CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand and CCP+ FYM + SD, CCP+ VC + Sand. rd The data revealed that 3 flush, maximum yield was obtained from casing CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand (i.e. 333.33 g) where as lowest yield was obtained from CCP + FYM (i.e. 196.6 g). The result was significantly difference between casing mixture VC + FYM and CCP + FYM and between CCP + FYM + SD and VC +SD + FYM + Sand. The yield of fourth flush was already reduced recorded as st nd rd compared to the I, II, and III flush and data showed the casing soils significant difference. The total yield (i.e. 1199.99 g) was obtained from casing mixture, CCP + VC + FYM + SD + Sand and lowest yield (i.e. 736.67 g) was obtained from CCP + FYM. Casing mixture of second highest yield (i.e. 1033.67 g) obtained from CCP+ FYM + SD. This finding confirm with the result of Dhar et al. (2006) were used eight commonly available casing materials in India viz, FYM, SMC, CCP, MG, VC, Terracare-A, Terracare-B and FYM + SMC to identify the suitable casing materials for use in button mushroom cultivation and coir pith result as early pinning and significantly higher number of fruit bodies and total yield. This result also conforms with the findings of Pardo et al. 2004 and Singh et al. (2000) evaluated different casing materials for the cultivation of button mushroom. Jarial and Shandilya (2005) also proved that municipal waste based vermi compost (HWBV) in combination with other casing materials was evaluated as a casing substrate for A. bisporus. In view of the summarized experimental findings, it may be concluded that, all the casing materials were evaluated for their effect on grown parameters and yield of Agaricus bisporus. Among the casing mixtures, CCP + VC Table 1: Effect of casing mixture on growth behaviour of button mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus) CCP = Coconut coir pith, FYM = Farm yard manure, SD= Saw dust, VC = Vermi compost. * = Initiation of pin head: Days recorded after spawning ** = Harvesting of flushes: Days recorded after spawning. 24

Table 2: Effect of casing mixtures on growth parameters of button mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus) CCP = Coconut coir pith, FYM = Farm yard manure, SD= Saw dust, VC = Vermi compost. Button Mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus) Casing mixture Pin head initiation Fruit bodies ready for hervesting REFERENCES Chang S. T. and Miles P. G.; 1991. Recent trends in world production of cultivated edible mushrooms. Mushroom J., 504:15-17. Dhar B. L., Ahlawat O. P., Gupta P. and Raj D.; 2006. Casing layer as related to mushroom yield and quality in Agaricus bisporus in India. Mush. Res., 15(2):111-117. Jarial R. S. and Shandilya T. R.; 2005. Mushroom yield and quality characteristics as influenced by various casing materials in Agaricus bisporus. Mush. Res., 14(2): 64-67. Mantel E. F. K., Agarwal R. K and Seth, P. T.; 1972. A guide to mushroom cultivation. Ministry of Agriculture, Farm Information Unit, Directorate of Extension, New Delhi, 2. Pardo A., Juan A. J., de. Pardo J. and Pardo J. E.; 2004. Assessment of different casing materials for use as peat alternatives in mushroom cultivation. Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative production parameters. Spanish J. Agril. Res., 2(2):267-272. Singh M., Singh R. P. and Chaube H. S.; 2000. Impact of physico-chemical properties of casing on yield of Agaricus bisporus (Lange)Imbach. In: Science and Cultivation of Edible Fungi. Edited by Balkma, Rotterdam ( Van ceriensven Ed.),: 441-446. Tewari R. P. and Pandey M.; 2002. Sizable income generating venture. In the Hindu Survey of Indian Agriculture, 165-167. 25