Recycling of spent mushroom substrate to vermicompost KEYWORDS Vermicomposting

Abstract

Investigations were made to recycle spent mushroom substrate (SMS) for the production of vermicompost using earthworms (Eisenia foetida). Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was obtained after harvesting mushroom grown on coffee industry wastes. This Spent mushroom substrate has a fibrous material content, which improves soil physical properties and biological activity. Different combinations of spent mushroom substrate, cowdung and farmyard manure were tried for vermicomposting. Maximum growth and cocoons production was recorded in vermireactor containing cow dung and SMS. The C/N ratio of vermicompost reduced to 9:35 from 52:2. The nutrient composition of the vermicast thus produced was of good quality. Based on investigations it is concluded that recycling of SMS generated after utilizing coffee wastes can be potentially used as a raw material for vermicomposting. Recycling/waste management of Coffee industry wastes (primary) to Spent mushroom substarate (secondary wastes) and further to vermicompost is reported from our findings. The transition from chemical nutrition to bionutrition can be sustained with out affecting the ecological processes. 2008 Trade Science Inc. INDIA