Biochemical analysis of spent mushroom compost and vermicompost

Sudhanthiraraj Subbu lakshmi; Gurusamy Chelladurai Moorthy

Volume : VIII, Issue : IV, April - 2019

Biochemical analysis of spent mushroom compost and vermicompost

Sudhanthiraraj Subbu Lakshmi, Gurusamy Chelladurai Moorthy

Abstract :

The physiochemical parameters assessed after the 90th day using Spent Mushroom Bed Material (SMBM) and vermicompost. The pH value in the Spent Mushroom Bed Material (SMBM) and vermicompost materials was lower than in the raw materials. The reduction of pH could be attributed to the higher mineralization of nitrogen and phosphorus into nitrites/nitrates and orthophosphate. The electrical conductivity (EC) has significantly decreased in all the compost materials (5.71 to 0.13 ms/cm). This difference may be due to consequent high organic matter loss and release of different mineral salts. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) concentration in both compost materials declined than raw materials after completion of the process. The reduction of TOC showed that the earthworms rapidly multiplied decomposing the organics. The Total Nitrogen (TN) content significantly increased in the 90th day of SMC and vermicompost materials than raw material. Increased in the TN concentration of SMC and vermicompost materials are dependent on the combination of initial feed mixture. The increase of TN showed the good quality of the bio–compost obtained. Total Available Phosphorous (TAP) content was greater than the raw material for all treatments, which may be due to the phosphorus mineralization by the earthworm. The increase in available TAP concentration in organic waste treatments with recommended fertilizer could be due to a high microbial activity induced by the addition of organic residues, and soluble inorganic TAP.