Compost preparation

Compost

Compost is the substrate in which the mushroom mycelium grows and on which it produces fruiting
bodies. It is the product of a fermentation process brought out by a number of mesophilic and
thermophilic microorganisms that decompose plant residues and other organic and inorganic matters. The
quality of compost influences the yield of mushroom. Compost prepared out of horse manure and wheat
straw is ideal one. Since these materials are not easily available, many substitutes are suggested and are in
use.

There are two methods of composting, Long method and short method. The distinction is based on the
time taken for composting and the long method needs three to four weeks, while the short method
requires only 12-15 days, since the composting process is hastened by pasteurization. In the long method
of composting, pasteurization is avoided, which will make the compost poor in quality and often gives
variable yields.
Long Method
The composting is done on a cement floor. It can be done in the open or under a roof, but sides are to keep open.
Purpose of composting
• The purpose of composting is to prepare a nutritious medium of such
characteristics that the growth of mushroom mycelium is promoted
to the practical exclusion of competitor organisms. Specifically this
means:
To create a physically and chemically homogeneous

To create a selective substrate, one in mycelium thrives better

than competitor

To concentrate nutrients for use by the mushroom plant and

to exhaust nutrients favored by competitors.

To remove the heat generating capabilities of the substrate .

Stages of composting process

There are two stages of composting process

Each stage is designed to accomplish specific

ends, these being:

Phase I: Termed outdoor composting, this stage

involves the mixing and primary decomposition of
the raw materials.

Phase II: Carried out indoors in specially designed

rooms, the compost is pasteurized and
conditioned within strict temperature zones.
 PHASE I COMPOSTING
• The basic raw material used for composting is cereal straw from wheat, rye, oat,
barley and rye grass. Of these, wheat straw is preferred due to its more resilient
nature.
• Straw provides a compost with carbohydrates, the basic food stuffs of mushroom
nutrition. Wheat straw is 36% cellulose, 25% pentosan and 1 6% lignin.
• When cereal straw is gathered from horse stables, it is called "horse manure".
Although cultivators call it by this name, the material is actually 90% straw and 1 0%
manure.
• By themselves horse manure or straw are insufficient for producing a nutritious
compost. Nor do they decompose rapidly. They must be fortified by specific materials
called supplements to ensure the carbon:nitrogen ratio for optimum microbial
decompositions is assured. In turn, maximum nutritional value will be achieved.
 Supplements
• Composting is a process of microbial decomposition.
• To stimulate microbial activity and enhance their growth, nutrient supplements
are added to the bulk starting materials. These supplements are designed to
provide protein (nitrogen) and carbohydrates to feed the ever increasing
microbial populations.
• Microbes can use almost any nitrogen source as long as sufficient carbohydrates
are readily available to supply energy for the nitrogen utilization. Because of the
tough nature of cellulose, the carbohydrates in straw are not initially usable and
must come from another source. A balanced supplement is therefore highly
desirable. It should contain not only nitrogen but also sufficient organic matter to
supply these essential carbohydrates. For this reason certain manures and animal
feed meals are widely used for composting.
 Gypsum—Calcium sulfate Gypsum
• Gypsum—Calcium sulfate Gypsum is an essential element for all composts. Its action,
largely chemical in nature, facilitates proper composting. its effects are:
• 1. To improve the physical structure of the compost by causing aggregation of colloidal
particles. This produces a more granular, open structure which results in larger air
spaces and improved aeration.
• 2. To increase the water holding capacity, while decreasing the danger of over-wetting.
Loose water is bound to the straw by colloidal particles.
• 3. To counteract harmfully high concentrations of the elements K, Mg, P and Na should
they occur, thereby preventing a greasy condition in the compost.
• 4. To supply the calcium necessary for mushroom metabolism.
Gypsum should be added at a rate of 50-100 lbs per dry ton of ingredients. When
supplementing with chicken manure, it is advisable to use the high rate.
 Limestone flour—Calcium
carbonate Limestone
• Limestone flour—Calcium carbonate Limestone is used when one or
more supplements are very acidic and need to be buffered. A good
example of this is grape pomace, which has a pH of 4.
• Because it is added in large quantities, grape pomace could affect the
composting process which normally occurs under alkaline conditions.
Group VIII: Starting materials Horse manure—0.9-1 .2% N Straw, all
types—0.5-O.7% N
 Water and Air

Water is the most important component in the composting process. To a large degree water
governs the level of microbial activity.

Overwetting a compost causes the air spaces to fill with water. Oxygen is unable to
penetrate, causing an anaerobic condition. In contrast, insufficient water results in a
compost that is too airy. Beneficial high temperatures are never reached because the heat
generated is quickly convected away.

Since neither fresh horse manure nor straw based synthetics have the correct moisture
content, water must be added to these materials. The recommended levels for optimum
composting are: Horse manure: 69-71% Synthetic: 71-73%
 Pre-wetting
• The purpose of this pre-composting or pre-wetting is to activate the
microbes.
• Once activated, the microbes begin to attack the straw and decompose
the waxy film which encases the straw fibers. Until this film is degraded,
water will not penetrate the straw and its nutrients will remain unavailable
• There are many methods for pre-wetting. These include: dipping or
dunking the material info a tank of water; spraying it with a hose; or
spreading it out in a flat pile 2-3 feet high and running a sprinkler over it.
The length of time needed for pre-wetfing varies according to the
condition of the starting materials. Generally 3 days for horse manure and
5-12 days for a synthetic compost is sufficient.
 Building the Pile

• Building the compost pile is called stacking, ricking or "make-up". At this time
the pre-wetted starting materials and the nitrogenous supplements are evenly
mixed, watered and assembled into a pile. The size, shape and specific physical
properties of this pile are very important for optimum composting.
• Pile dimensions should be 5-6 feet wide by 4-6 feet high. The shape should be
rectangular or square.
• 2. The side of the pile should be vertical and compressed from the outside by
3-6 inches. The internal section should be less dense than the outer section.
• 3. The pile is such that any further increase in size would result in an anaerobic
core.
 Turning
• A well built compost pile runs out of oxygen in 48 to 96 hours and
then enters an anaerobic state. To prevent this, the pile should be
disassembled and then reassembled. The purposes of this turning
procedure are: 1. To aerate the pile, preventing anaerobic
composting. 2. To add water lost through evaporation. 3. To mix in
supplements as required. 4. To fully mix the compost, preventing
uneven decomposition
• Supplements deleted at make-up should be added during the turning
cycle. Gypsum is normally added at the second turn
 Temperature
• Environmental conditions in the compost are specifically designed to facilitate
growth of beneficial aerobic microorganisms. Given the proper balance of raw
materials, air and water, a continuous succession of microbial populations
produces temperatures up to 1 80°F. These microbes can be divided into two
groups according to their temperature requirements. Mesophiles are active
under 90°F. and thermophiles are active from 90-160°F.
• At temperatures over 1 50 °F., microbial action slows and chemical processes
begin. Between 150-165°F. microbial and chemical actions occur
simultaneously.
• Decomposition proceeds rapidly at these high temperatures, and if they can be
maintained throughout the process, composting time will be greatly reduced.
Composting Tools
• Since commercial growers work with many tons of compost, a bucket loader is essential. They also use a specially designed
machine for turning the piles. This compost turner can travel through a 200 foot pile in a little over one hour, mixing in
supplements and adding water. Small scale cultivators can make compost without these machines.

A cement floor

Bobcat or small tractor loader with yard bucket with fork.

Pile formers or three sided bin

Long handled pitchfork with 4 or 5 prongs.

Flat bladed shovel.

Hose with spray nozzle, or sprinkler.

Thermometers. A
Characteristics of the Compost at Filling
• The composting materials undergo very distinct changes during Phase
I. A judgment as to the suitability of the compost for filling is based on
color, texture and odor.
• The compost is ready for filling if: 1. Compost is uniformly deep
brown. 2. Straw is still long and fibrous, but can be sheared with some
resistance. 3. When the compost is firmly squeezed, liquid appears
between the fingers.
• Compost has a strong smell of ammonia, pH of 8.0-8.5. 5. Compost is
lightly flecked with whitish colonies of actinomycetes. 6. Kjeldahl
nitrogen is 1 .5% for horse manure and 1 .7% for synthetic composts.