Use of Pleurotus eous Strain P-31 Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC) as Soil Conditioner on the Growth and Yield Performance of Capsicum annuum L. and Solanum lycopersicon L. Seedlings under Greenhouse Conditions in Ghana

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of spent mushroom compost of Pleurotus eous strain P-31 on the growth and yield performance of pepper and tomato seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Sandy loam soil was combined with different percentages of SMC to obtain the following combinations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30) %. Lower concentrations SMC5, SMC10 and SMC15 promoted vegetative growth (plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll content, number of leaves and axillary branches) of the two test plants. Tomato seedlings grown in SMC10 recorded the highest plant height (50.3 ± 7.2cm); leaf area (378.8 ± 1.2cm2); number of floral buds (51) and flowers (28) whereas SMC5 recorded the highest chlorophyll content 34.1 ± 0.9CCI though SMC15 recorded the highest number of leaves (8). Tomato seedlings grown in SMC30 produced both the maximum number of fruits (8) with corresponding high weight (34.2 ± 7.7g). Pepper seedlings grown in lower concentrations (SMC5–15) recorded the highest plant heights (29.8–30.8cm), chlorophyll content (20.3CCI) and leaf area (53.5–66.2 cm2). Although the different combinations of sandy loam soil and SMC did not significantly (p ≥ 0.05) affect the number of axillary branches developed; different combinations significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected the number of floral bud, flower and fruit, weight of fruits formed and value of each of these increased with increasing percentage of SMC. Pepper seedlings grown on SMC30 recorded the maximum number of floral buds (32.0 ± 3.6), number of flowers (19.4 ± 1.3), number of fruits (10.8 ± 1.2) and weight of fruits (31.9 ± 3.4g). Tomato seedlings raised on SMC100 (spent mushroom compost only) and soil only did not significantly (p ≥ 0.05) differ from each other however, was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) from amended sandy loam soil by all criteria investigated. The study shows that SMC provide favourable soil conditioners for the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and foliage crops as it improved growth and yield of tomato and pepper seedlings.

Effect of Spent Button Mushroom Substrate on Yield and Quality of Baby Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

“…Similar findings have been previously reported by Eudoxie and Alexender [70] in the use of spent mushroom substrate as a transplant media replacement for commercial peat in tomato production. Wiafe-Kwagyan and Odamtten [71] reported that SMS contained dry matter, crude protein, cellulose, lignin, NDF, and ADF (calcium, potassium, nitrogen, and sodium) which could influence the dry matter of test plants.…”

Potential, Characteristics and Utilization of Shrimp Pond Solid Waste as Organic Fertilizer

“…Similarly, Naveed et al (2018) reported that the use of organic waste from the agricultural industry may support the growth and bioavailability of Zn in corn plants. According to Kwagyan and Odamtten (2018), the use of mushro om waste compost with a ratio of 10% SMC and 90% soil was the best medium for supporting optimum vegetative growth in tomato and pepper plants. It was also (Spent Mushroom Compost.…”

Influence of substrate formulation on some morphometric characters and biological efficiency of Pleurotus ostreatus EM‐1 (Ex. Fr) Kummer grown on rice wastes and “wawa” (Triplochiton scleroxylon) sawdust in Ghana

“…The current state‐of‐the‐art research shows the usage of fungal biotechnology in other fields such as restoration of damage environments (mycorestoration), via mycofiltration (i.e., use of mycelia to filter water), mycoforestry (i.e., use of mycelia to restore forest), mycoremediation (i.e., use of mycelia to ameliorate heavily polluted soils), myconuclear bioremediation (i.e.,use of mycelia to sequester soil of radioactive materials), mycopesticide (used as biopesticide to control pests), and also spent compost could be used as biofertilizer to enhance the fertility of the soil (Adenipekun & Lawal, 2012; Kortei et al., 2018; Stamets, 2005; Wiafe‐ Kwagyan & Odamtten, 2018; Wiafe‐Kwagyan et al., 2016). These instances represent fungal ability to restore the ecosystem where there are no adverse effects after fungal application.…”