Indigenous technical knowledge about the use of spent mushroom substrate

Abstract

The study on indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) about use of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) for agriculture revealed wide variations in age of the SMS applied in different crops at mushroom grower’s farm and it ranged between 0 month (fresh) to 36 months (old). Similarly, the quantity of SMS applied also varied between a minimum of 4.75 q to maximum of 1,000 q/ha in field crops and 4-6 kg/plant in apple orchard. The mushroom growers as well as researchers noticed yield enhancement and lower incidence of diseases in agricultural and horticultural crops along with changes in soil physical conditions on using SMS as manure. On the basis of empirical data and experience gained during the process of verification and refinement of ITKs about use of SMS as manure in crops, it is concluded that SMS should be decomposed for at least 12 months using scientific methods of composting such as natural weathering in pits, aerobic recomposting and anaerobic recomposting instead of disposing off in open on road side. Similarly, the doses of recomposed SMS for various crops should be worked out on the basis of total nutrients (NPK) requirement of the respective crops and the nutrients status of SMS. The recomposed SMS should be used singly as basal application or in combination with inorganic fertilizers.