Vermicompost-enriched Substrate Improves the Production of Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica)

Abstract

Aims: We investigated most suitable substrate (wheat and rice straw) enriched with vermicompost and their different levels (10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) for enhancing production of milky mushroom.  Study Design: The experiment was designed by following single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).  Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in a mushroom culture house to observe the growth and productivity of highly potential milky mushroom by using different vermicompost enriched substrate during March-October, 2017 Methodology: Based on the different treatment combinations the quantity of substrate and vermicompost on volume basis were used per packet with 5% spawn. Coco dust was used as casing material. After incubation, matured fruiting bodies were harvested and data were recorded on growth and yield parameters. Results: The addition of vermicompost with rice substrates improved the diameter of pelius 32-74%, thickness of pelius 26- 60%, diameter of stipe 24-55% and length of stipe 25 to 95% relative to the unsupplemented substrate. Similarly, vermicompost supplementation with wheat straw substrates increased the diameter of pelius 27-71%, thickness of pelius 11- 40%, diameter of stipes 21-56% and length of stipe 17- 72% relative to the unsupplemented substrate at any harvest. Supplementation of vermicompost reduced the duration for spawn run 11-55% in wheat straw and 11- 49%  in rice straw compared with non-supplemented one. Furthermore, pin head initiation became quicker 26- 66% in wheat straw and 15- 61% in rice straw. In addition, total number of fruiting body increased from 6- 82% in wheat straw supplemented with different doses of vermicompost, while rice straw increased total number of fruiting body ranged from 17- 39% compared to unsupplemented one. The addition of 10%, 25%, 50% and 75% levels of vermicompost with wheat straw increased the fresh yield of C. indica by 23%, 54%, 121% and 73%, respectively compared to wheat straw alone; however, similar levels of vermicompost with rice straw increased the fresh yield of C. indica by 31% , 63%, 112% and 87%, respectively compared to rice straw alone. The biological efficiency of C. indica also did exhibit significant differences ranged between 65-160% among different levels of vermicompost supplementation with rice and wheat straw substrates. Conclusion: The result revealed that increasing the vermicompost level lead to a less biological efficiency and yield, but it remains higher than the control (straw alone). It is additionally conceivable that the application of vermicompost to substrates with lower levels would provide an even better yield, without adversely affecting the bioefficiency of the harvested mushrooms. These judges, however, need more work to validate reliability.