T i p s
A publication in support of mushroom growers
March
2004
HANDLING AND USING "SPENT" MUSHROOM SUBSTRATE AROUND THE WORLD (PART TWO)
(printed with permission)
By Danny Lee Rynker*
(Author´s pictures)
Danny Lee Rynker
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For more information "click" here
* About the author:

Danny Lee Rinker
Department of Plant Agriculture
University of Guelph, 4890 Victoria Avenue, PO Box 7000
Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 CANADA
<Drinker@UoGuelph.Ca>
CHARACTERISTICS OF SPENT SUBSTRATE
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Microbiology of composted (Raymond et al. 1997) or steamed material (Kleyn and Wetzler 1981); physical and/or chemical characteristics of fresh and/or weathered material (Beyer 2001, Gerrits 1997a, Iiyama et al. 1995, Lemnaire et al. 1985, Levanon and Danai 1995, Lohr et al. 1984b, Maher et al. 2000, Szmidt and Chong 1995).
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Tips general bulletin page

BIOREMEDIATION

Purification of air
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
As mix with other materials for removal of H2S (Shojaosadati and Siamak 1999) or volatile organic compounds (Mohseni et al. 1998, Mohseni and Alien 1999).


Purification of water
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate: Treatment of metal-contaminated water from coal mines (Anón 1997, Dvorak et al. 1992, Stark et al. 1994); treatment of acid mine drainage (Chang et al. 2000) in wetland environments (Karathanasis and Thompson, 1990, Manyin et al. 1997, Stark and Williams 1994, Stark et al. 1995, Stark et al. 1996, Tarutis and Unz 1995, Vile and Wieder 1993, Wieder 1993); treatment of nickel-contaminated mine water (Hammack and Edenbom 1992); biological treatment of sewage (Intemational Organic Solutions Corp. 1996); treatment of waters polluted with radioactive elements and heavy metals (Groudev et al. 1999).
Agaricus waste mushroom/tissue:
Production of phenoloxidases (Steffen et al. 1995).
Pleurotus spp spent substrate:
Reduction of phenol content and toxicity in olive mill waste (Martírani et al. 1996).
Lentinula edodes spent substrate:
Treatment of acid mine drainage (Chang et al. 2000); treatment of effluents from olive mill (D'Annibale et al. 1998).
Purification of soil
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Effect on zinc distribution (Shuman 1999a, 1999b), cadmium and lead (Shuman 1998) among soil fractions; amelioration of zinc toxicity (Shuman and Li 1997); degradation of chlorophenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or aromatic monomers (Semple et
al. 1995, Semple et al. 1998, Fermor et al 2000, Staments 2001); inhibition of nitrifícation (Bazin et al. 1991); treatment of hazardous wastes (Busweil 1994); stabilization of disturbed and commercial sites (Rupert 1995).
Pleurotus spp. spent substrate:
Blend of fish oil and spent substrate for degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in age-creosote contaminated soil (Eggen 1999); removal/degradation of pentachiorophenol (PCP) (Chiu et al. 1998).
Lentinula edodes spent substrate:
Removal/degradation of pentachiorophenol (PCP) (Chiu et al. 1998).

Purificatíon of substrates contaminated with pesticides
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Degradatíon of carbaryl, 1-naphthol (Kuo and Regan 1992, 1999) and carbamate (Kuo and Regan 1998, Regan 1994); sorption and movement of atrazine and 2,4-D by soils (Baskaran et al. 1996).

CROP PRODUCTION
Greenhouse crops - flowers
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate: Production of  Chrysanthemum (Rathier 1982) and Easter lilies (Dallon 1987, White 1976a,d), Helleborus (Richter et al. 1980); petunias (White 1976c) and poinsettia (White 1976b); problems in use (Anón. 1985).

Greenhouse crops - vegetables
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Production of vegetable transplants (Lohr 1983, Lohr et al. 1984a, Lohr and Coffey 1987, Wang et al. 1984a), cucumbers (Celikel and Buyukalaca 1999c), tomatoes (Celikel and Tuncay 1999a, Rathier 1982, Steffen et al. 1994, 1995,Vavrina et al. 1996) and eggplant (Celikel and Tuncay 1999b); impact on post-harvest quality (Dundar et al. 1995); general evaluation (Verdonck 1984).

Field crops - vegetables
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate.
Production of asparagus, beet root, cauliflower, cabbage, capsicums, celery, cucumber, lettuce, mustard, onion, potato, radish, snap bean, spinach, sugar beet, tomato (Abak and Gul 1994, Anón. 1979, Faassen et al. 1992, Kaddous and Morgans 1986, Maher 1994, Maher et al. 2000, Male 1981, Massi, A. 2001, pers. comm., Maynard 1989, Maynard 1991, Maynard 1994b, Nguyen et al. 1987, Pili et al. 1993, Ranganathan and Selvaseelan 1997a, Rhoads and Oíson 1995, Seivi and Selvaseelan 1999, Sochtig and Grabbe 1995, Stephens et al. 1989, Stewart et al. 1998b, 1998c, Schwank 1985, Wang 1983, Wang et al. 1984)
Pleurotus spp spent substrate:
Interplanting with cabbage and eggplant (Abdallah 2000); wood shaving substrate for cultivation of lettuce (Batista et al. 2000); cucumber production (Nguyen et al. 1987).
Lentinula edades spent substrate.
Production of tomatoes (Lin and Chuen 1993).
Other species spent substrate
Production of cabbage (Lin 1993).

Field crops - fruit
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Mulching applied to "Italian" prunes (Robbins et al. 1986), apples (AntSaoir et al. 2000, Delver 1982, Delver and Wertheim 1988), apple seedlings (Koch 1980), grapes (Beyer, D. 2001, pers. comm.); peaches (Derkacz, M. 2001, pers. comm.); organic
altemative to methyl bromide in strawberries (Sanees and Ingham 1997).

Field crops - other
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate: As a soil amendment for tea (Manivel et al. 1994); effect on
green gram (Ranganathan and Selvaseelan 1994); as soil amendment for field corn (Weber et al.
1997, Wuest and Fahy 1991, Wuest et al. 1991, Wuest et al. 1995); effect on perennial rye grass,
wheat (Maher 1994, Maher et al. 2000).

General soil amendment
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Effect on soil physical and physico-chemical properties (Ranganathan and Selvaseelan 1997b); as organic fertilizer (Cameron, K. 2001, pers. comm.); Gerrits 1987b, Levanon and Danal 1997, Maher 1990, Maher et al. 2000, Pryce 1991, Ranganathan
and Selvaseelan 1997c, Robmson 1988, van Keulen, H. 2001, pers. comm.).
Agaricus blazei spent substrate:
As organic fertilizer (Dias, E. S. 2001, pers. comm.).
Pleurotus spent substrate:
Cotton seed substrate pelletized for organic fertilizer or mixed with Agaricus spent substrate for organic fertilizer (Keil, C. 2001, pers. comm.); sawdust substrate as organic fertilizer (Anderson, D. 2001, pers. comm.).

Lentinula edodes spent substrate:
Pelletized for organic fertilizer or mixed with Agaricus spent substrate for organic fertilizer (Keil, C. 2001, pers. comm.).

Nursery and landscape
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Production of foliage crops as potting mix (Beyer, D. 2001, pers. comm.); Chong et al. 1987, Chong and Wickware 1989, Chong et al. 1990, 1991a,b,c,d,e, Chong and Hamersma 1996a, b, Chong and Rinker 1994a,b, Chong 1991, 1999, Devonaid 1987, Eames
1977, Henny 1980, Poole and Conorer 1974, Raymond et al. 1998, Smith 1982, van Keulen, H. 2001, pers. comm.); production of foliage crops in the field (Maynard 1994c); improving turf (Landschoot and McNitt 1994).
Pleurotus spp. spent substrate:
Production of nursery crops (Quimio et al., 1990).



RE-USE IN THE CULTIVATION OF MUSHROOMS
Casing material for Agaricus bisporus
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Comparisons with peats and/or other local materials (Eicker and vanGreuning 1989, Garcha and Sekhon 1981, Happ II 1974, Nair 1976a,b, Nair and Bradley 1981, Seaby 1999, Shandiiya 1989a, b, Smgh et al. 1992, 2000, Stoller 1979); leaching experiments
(Riahi et al. 1998) or treatment with chelating agents (Sharma et al. 1999); recomposting and leaching (Szmidt 1994, Szmidt et al. 1995); handling and use (Kinrus 1976, Schisler and Wuest 1982, Wuest 1976); separation and reuse of casing from spawn-run compost (Hesling 1981, Jablonsky and Srb 1989, Nair and Bradley 1981, Nair 1985).

Pleurotus spent substrate:
Composted sawdust media as casing (Kim et al. 1998).
Casing material for Agaricus bitorquis
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Comparisons with local materials (Guleria et al. 1989).
Cultívation of other species
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Cultivation of 11 species (Flick 1981)
Ccultivation oí Agaricus bisporus (Rinker and Alm 1990, Schisler 1988, Till 1963), Auricularia (Sharma and Jandaik 1994),
Lentinula (Kilpatrick et al. 2000), Pleurotus (Mueller et al. 1984, Sharma and Jandaik 1994); Volvariella (Poppe 2000).
Pleurotus spp spent substrate:
Cultivation of Pleurotus spp (Nakaya et al. 2000, Sharma and Jandaik 1985, 1992), Stropharia (Poppe 1995).
Lentinula edades spent substrate:
Cultivation of Pleurotus (Jaramillo, C. 2001, pers. comm., Royse 1993); mixed into Agaricus substrate (Yeatman, J. 2001, pers. comm.).
Spent substrate from other species:
Volvariella substrate for Pleurotus production (Chang and Miles 1989, Quimio 1988); Flammulina or Ganoderma substrate for Coprinus comatus (Chen, A. 2001, pers. comm.).

FOOD FOR ANIMALS AND FISH

Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Feeding studies with sheep (Wiison et al. 1983).
Pleurotus spp. spent substrate:
Cattle feed from spent wheat straw compost (Adamovi9 et al. 1998, Jaramillo, C. 2001, pers. comm., Kakkar et al. 1990, Keil, C. 2001, pers. comm.); spent sugarcane bagasse compost in a dietary blend for ruminants (Permaná 1990, Zadrazil and Puniya 1995) adult and young buffaloes fed spent wheat or rice straw from Pleurotus cultivation (Kakkar and Dhanda 1998, Bakshi et al. 1985); feed for lambs and sheep (Calzada et al. 1987a, b, Sánchez, J.E. 2001, pers. comm.); degradation studies (Bisaria and Madan 1984, Braun et al. 2000, Permaná et al. 2000, Pratt et al. 1981, Sosulski and Coxworth 1986, Streeter et al. 1981, Zadrazil 1977, 1980, 1984, Zhang et al. 1996).
Lentinula edodes spent substrate: Ground waste logs from natural log shiitake cultivation (Yoshida et al. 1978); rice straw fermented with waste shiitake sawdust media, cornand molasses (Lin et al. 1998a,b); degradation studies (Braun et al. 2000, Zhange/a/. 1996).
Other species spent substrates: Volvariella volvacea grown on rice straw or banana leaves for sheep (Sevilla et al. 1989); Coprinus fimetarius grown on rice and oat straws for goats (Mann et al. 1994).


Aquaculture
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate: Wheat straw substrate as a component in the diet of carp
(Cirrhina intrígala) (Sehgal and Thomas 1987, Sehgal and Simmi 1991, Sehgal et al. 1993).

PEST MANAGEMENT


Insect management
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Effects on Colorado potato beetles populations (Stoner et al. 1996, Gent e/a/. 1998).


Disease management
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Effect of water extracts (Yohalem et al. 1994, 1996) and mechanism and dynamics of inhibition on apple scab (Cronin et al. 1996); effect on: damping-off and root rot of creeping bentgrass (Craft and Nelson 1996); Pythium damping-off disease of tomatoes (Reigner et al. 2001); Verticillium disease in commercial mushrooms (Guardmo 1998, Labuschagne et al. 2000, Wuest et al. 1996); root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incógnita (Kaul and Chhabra 1993, Verma 1986, 1993); chilli leaf and stem necrosis (Upadhyay 2000); wilt of carnation and black root rot of cucumber (Ebben 1980); suppression of turfgrass diseases (Viji et al. 2000); potato early dying disease caused by V. dahiiae and P. penetrans (Gent et al. 1998, LaMondia et al. 1999); Rhizoctonia in cucumbers (Nguyen et al. 1987); Fusarium wilt of tomato (Harender et al. 1997); predaceous nematodes (Koning et al. 1996); influence on gas exchange in potatoes in presence of Verticillium dahiiae or Pratyienchus penetrans (Gent et al. 1999).
Pleurotus spp spent substrate:
Attacks nematodes (Hibbett and Thom 1994, Thom and Barron 1984).
Lentinula edodes spent substrate:
Suppression of Rhizoctonia damping-off of cabbage (Huang 1997, Huang and Huang 2000); disease incidence of tomato (Lm and Chuen 1993).
MISCELLANEOUS USES
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Used in airlift bioreactor used to assess plant available nutrients (Velthof et al. 1998); used in heat resistant formulas (Donnelly and Busta 1980); as a altemative fuel (Maher et al. 2000); used as beddmg for hogs (Beattie et al. 2001, Durrel et al. 1997); recovery
of lignocellose-degrading enzymes (Ball and Jackson 1995); monitoring fate of entomopathogenic nematodes (Richardson et al. 2000); carrier material for preparation of bio-inoculants (Bahl and Jauhri 1986, Bahl et al. 1989); production of biogas (Tumwasorn et al. 1980); vermiculture (Edwards et al. 1985, Massi, A. 2001, pers. comm.).
Pleurotus spp spent substrate:
Production of biogas (Bisaria et al. 1983, 1990, Mehta et al. 1990); as altemative fuel (Rahman, H. 2001, pers. comm.); extracellular enzyme production (Tan and Wahab 1997); vermiculture (Rahman, H. 2001, pers. comm., Sánchez, J.E. 2001, pers. comm.).
Lentinula edodes spent substrate:
As alterative fuel (Dias, E.S. 2001, pers. comm., Pauli 1999);
vermiculture (Pauli 1999).
Other species spent substrate: Mushrooms in general as animal feed (Sova and Cibulka 1980);
cellulolytic bacteria from Volvariella volvacea (Wong et al. 1990); Volvariella as altemative fuel
and vermiculture (Rahman, H. 2001, pers. comm.).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF WEATHERING SPENT COMPOST
Spent mushroom substrates are often spread onto land and allowed to weather for several years. This allows salts and nitrates to leach from the spent materials. The impact of storage and leaching has been explored.

Weathering process
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Organic matter transformations during weathering process (Chefetz et al. 2000).
Impact on ground water
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate:
Nitrates in ground water beneath sandy terrace soil in intensive vegetable production  (Maynard 1993a, b, 1994a); impact on water quality  through applications to agriculture land (Kapland et al. 1995, Pannier 1993, Wuest 1992, Wuest and Fahy 1992, Wuest et al. 1991); release of sulfate-sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium (Stewart et al. 2000) and inorganic-N (Stewart et al. 1998).
Impact on surface water
Agaricus bisporus spent substrate: Effect on adjacent surface water (Reed and Keil 2000).
Impact on air qualityAgaricus bisporus spent substrate: Odorous components (Bazemore et al. 2000); effect on health (Cobb et al. 1995).
REFERENCES