Preparation of Rice Seedling-raising Substrate with Spent Mushroom Substrate of Pleurotus eryngii

This study aimed to explore the effect of fermented spent mushroom substrate(SMS) of Pleurotus eryngii as a basic material on rice seedling-raising substrate. The physical and chemical indices of the SMS indicated that the fermented SMS was fully composted and was very suitable for preparing rice seedling-raising substrate. The fermented SMS effectively regulated the bulk density, total porosity, aeration porosity and water-holding porosity of rice seedling-raising substrate. With the increased addition amount of fermented SMS, the bulk density of rice seedling-raising substrate was decreased, but the total porosity, aeration porosity and water-holding porosity were increased. Compared with those in the substrates of 100% soil and 100% SMS,the height, chlorophyll content, 100-shoot dry weight, 100-root dry weight, root activity, nitrogen content, phosphorus content and potassium content of rice seedlings in the substrate composed of spent mushroom substrate of P. eryngii and soil were higher.The quality of rice seedlings in the substrate composed of 20% soil and 80% SMS was best, followed by that in the substrate composed of 30% soil and 70% SMS.

Effects of Spent Mushroom Substrate of Pleurotus eryngii as Fermentation Bed Padding on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microflora and Immunity of Weaning Piglets

[Objective] The paper was to examine the effects of spent mushroom substrate of Pleurotus eryngii as fermentation bed padding on growth performance, intestinal microflora and immunity of weaning pigs. [Method] A total of 120 weaning piglets （DurocxLandracexYorkshire） with the average initial body weight of （8.0±0.5） kg were allocated to five dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design for 42 d, each of which was replicated three times with eight piglets per replicate （ half male and half female）. The padding for control group was 50% sawdust ＋50% rice husk; experimental group I, 100% spent mushroom substrate; experimental group II, 15% sawdust ＋15% rice husk ＋70% spent mushroom sub- strate; experimental group III, 25% sawdust ＋25% rice husk ＋50% spent mushroom substrate; and experimental group IV, 35% sawdust ＋35% rice husk ＋30% spent substrate. [Result] Except for experimental group IV, the other three experimental groups had higher average daily gain compared to the control group （P〈0.05）. The average daily feed intake in experimental group I increased obviously compared to the control group（P〈0.05）. Except for experimental group I, the diarrhea rate of weaning piglets in experimental groups II, III and IV significantly decreased compared to the control group（P〈0.05）. The number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in colon and cecum in experimental groups I, II and III increased distinctly （P〈 0.05）, while the number of Escherichia coli and Salmonella decreased remarkably compared to the control group （P〈0.05）. The positive rates of T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of weaning piglets in four experimental groups were significantly higher than that in control group at 21 and 42 d post weaning （P〈0.05）. The IgA content of intestinal mucous in piglets was significantly improved in experimental groups II and III （P〈0.05）. [Conclusion] It enhances the production performance when improving immunity and reducing diarrhea rate of piglets by using spent mushroom substrate of P. eryngii as the fermentation bed padding. Experimental group III （25% sawdust ＋25% rice husk ＋50% spent mushroom substrate） is the optimal proportion of spent mushroom substrate.

Effect of Fermentation Bed with Spent Mushroom Substrate of Pleurotus eryngii on Weaning Piglets

[Objective] The paper was to investigate effects on fermentation bed temperature,growth performance,diarrhea rate and digestive en-zyme activity of weaning piglets by using spent mushroom substrate of Pleurotus eryngii as padding.[Method] A total of 120 weaning piglets（Duroc × Landrace ×Yorkshire） with average initial body weight of（8.0 ±0.5）kg were allocated to five dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design for 42 d,each of which was replicated three times with eight piglets per replicate（half male,half female）.The padding for control group was（50% sawdust ＋50% rice husk）;experimental group Ⅰ 100% spent mushroom substrate;experimental group Ⅱ（15% sawdust ＋15% rice husk ＋70% spent mushroom substrate）;experimental group Ⅲ（25% sawdust ＋25% rice husk ＋50% spent mushroom substrate）;experimental group Ⅳ（35% sawdust ＋35% rice husk ＋30% spent substrate）.[Result] There was no significant difference in surface temperature of fermentation bed between experimental groups and control group（P〉0.05）.Compared with the control group,the temperature under 20 cm of fermentation bed in ex-perimental groups I,Ⅱ and Ⅲ increased significantly（P〈0.05）.Except for experimental group Ⅳ,other three experimental groups had higher aver-age daily gain（P〈0.05） and experimental group Ⅰ had higher average daily feed intake（P〈0.05） compared to the control group.The diarrhea rate and mortality of weaning piglets in experimental groups Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly decreased compared with the control group（P〈0.05）.Compared with the control group,other three experimental groups had higher digestive enzyme activity in duodenal contents except for experimental group Ⅳ（P〈0.05）.[Conclusion] Spent mushroom substrate of P.eryngii can be used as fermentation bed padding,and the optimal proportion was experimental group Ⅲ.

Technique for Using Spent Mushroom Substrate of Flammulina velutipes to Cultivate Volvariella volvacea in Idle Period of Greenhouse Summer Squash

Greenhouse summer squash is a major type of greenhouse vegetable in Shandong Province.In summer,there is a three-month idle period of greenhouse summer squash.Volvariella volvacea is a high temperature resistant high-quality edible fungus.In practice,it is able to use the spent mushroom substrate of Flammulina velutipes to cultivate V.volvacea.In the idle period of greenhouse summer squash,cultivating V.volvacea using the spent mushroom substrate of F.velutipes has high economic and environmental benefits.The cultivation techniques mainly include the preparation of cultivation materials,preliminary preparation for the greenhouse,planting management of V.volvacea,and returning the spent mushroom substrate to the field.By comparison with the conventional summer squash planting,this technique has higher economic benefits and its application prospects will be broad.

Feasible strategy for the nitrogen fixation and humification quality improvement by spent mushroom substrate as conditioning agent

There is an overlooked problem which increasing microbial abundance while reducing nitrogen loss during composting.This study investigated the viability of spent mushroom substrate(SMS)as conditioners in the aerobic composting of kitchen waste(KW)with cattle manure(CM).The variation of temperature,pH,C/N,organic matter,cellulose,hemicelluloses,germination index(GI),and microflora structure were explored to evaluate the potential in accelerating maturity and nitrogen fixation by SMS addition.The results showed that the addition of SMS accelerated the heating rate,prolonged the high temperature time,and decreased organic matter,hemicellulose,and cellulose by 17.49%,23.61%,and 18.62%,respectively.The GI reached 105.86%with SMS addition,while 74.17%was found in control treatment after composting.SMS changed the microbial community composition and increased the species abundance.Proteiniclasticum,Clostridium XI and Azomonas were dominant bacteria,which increased the retention of nitrogen,promoted organic matter degradation and reduce compost time.The study can provide a feasible strategy for nitrogen fixation in the field of organic waste recycling.

Biochemical, functional and antioxidant potential of higher fungi cultivated on agro-industrial residues. Part Ⅱ: Cultures on mixtures of spent mushroom substrates and mushroom cropping by-products

Novel substrates consisted of different fresh agro-industrial residues,their corresponding and commercial spent mushroom substrates(i.e.SMS deriving from laboratory-scale experiments and SMS deriving from industrial-scale experiments by Green Zin S.A.-SMS GZ)and Pleurotus waste(PW;stipes/mishappen mushrooms)were used in blends for a new cultivation cycle of Pleurotus ostreatus and P.eryngii mushrooms in bags.Their impact on the biochemical properties(intra-cellular polysaccharides-IPSs,protein,lipid,total phenolic compounds-TPCs,individual carbohydrates composition of the IPSs)in the first-and second-flush whole mushrooms,pilei and stipes,as well as the fatty acids composition,the antioxidant activity(in the first-flush mushroom parts)and glucan content of stipes were examined.Both species produced satisfactory IPSs quantities in all substrates(28.69-46.38%,w/w)and significant protein amounts(18.37-26.80%,w/w).The further SMS addition(80%,w/w instead of 40%,w/w)in the cultivation substrates affected positively the mushroom IPSs values,whereas the highest protein content was detected in mushroom’s parts cultivated on substrates consisted of fresh agro-industrial residues.Mushroom’s lipid content was affected differently by the various substrate combinations,with SMS presence resulting in mushrooms with a lower fat content than those produced in substrates with PW addition.Fresh substrates with PW and those with coffee residue were the most favorable for TPCs production.Regarding production flushes,the nutritional value of mushrooms was comparable between them,only a slight increase in TPCs of second-flush carposomes was detected.Glucose was the predominant monosaccharide of the produced IPSs,combined with a significant production of total and β-glucans.SMSs and PW addition had a positive impact on antioxidant activity,too.A higher quantity of lipids,TPCs and significant antioxidant activity were detected in all Pleurotus pilei than stipes,whereas the latter were richer in IPSs.Both pilei and stipes had a significant protein amount.Hence,the data obtained by this study support the positive effect of different types of SMS and mushroom waste on P.ostreatus and P.eryngii nutritional value.

Effects of spent mushroom substrate and slurry on nutritional value of grass and Medicago x varia T.Martyn mixtures

The paper aimed to evaluate fertilizing effects of spent mushroom substrate(SMS)and slurry on dry matter productivity and value of legume-grass mixtures.The experiment was replicated three times,with a split-plot arrangement and plots of 3 m^(3) as experimental units.These species were grown as three legume-grass mixtures:M1-Dactylis glomerata,Lolium perenne,Medicago x varia T.Martyn;M2-Dactylis glomerata,Medicago x varia T.Martyn;M3-Lolium perenne,Medicago x varia T.Martyn.The experiment consisted of the following units:control(no fertilization);SMS(30 t/hm^(2));slurry(60 m^(3)/hm^(2))(G);SMS(10 t/hm^(2))+slurry(60 m^(3)/hm^(2));SMS(20 t/hm^(2))+slurry(40 m^(3)/hm^(2));SMS mushroom substrate(30 t/hm^(2))+slurry(20 m^(3)/hm^(2)).During each growing season all the mixtures were harvested three times.The fresh matter from each plot was weighted and a sample of 0.6 kg was taken for further analysis.In the experiment the content of both total protein and crude fibre was dependent on the type of fertilizer and on the type of mixture.Forage from the plots with 20 t/hm^(2) of mushroom substrate and 40 m^(3)/hm^(2) of slurry had the best nutritional value,with the highest amount of total protein.The contents of protein and crude fibre in the forage were more favourably affected by slurry than by spent mushroom substrate.Out of the mixtures from all plots,regardless of the type of fertilizer,the mixture consisting of Lolium perenne and Medicago x varia T.Martyn contained the highest content of protein.

Effects of Pleurotus Ostreatus Cultivation Substrate on Growth and Quality of Cabbage

In order to understand the effects of the compound substrate made of mushroom bran on vegetable cultivation,the experiment of cabbage cultivation was carried out with oyster mushroom(Pleurotus ostreatus)bran,rice husk charcoal,perlite and other materials in different proportions.The substrate was evaluated by measuring the physical and chemical properties of the substrate,the yield and quality of cabbage.The results showed that there were no significant differences in bulk density,pH value,total porosity and heavy metal content among treatments,whereas the EC value of treatment 1 to 5 was significantly higher than that of CK.The indexes of treatment 4 substrate with the ratio of mushroom substrate,rice husk charcoal,vermiculite and compound fertilizer being 42.5∶48.6∶8.3∶0.61,were balanced.There was no significant difference in the quality of cabbage cultivated in each treatment,whereas the yield of cabbage cultivated in treatment 4 was the highest,significantly higher than that of CK.Considering the properties of substrate and the yield of cabbage,treatment 4 could be used as the best substrate for cabbage cultivation.

Variation in Enzymes Activities of Rhizospheric Substrate and Influencing Factors during Nursing of Watermelon Seedlings

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of substrate en- zymes activities on nursing of watermelon seedlings. [Method] The composted mushroom residue was mixed with garden soil according to a certain proportion to prepare nursing substrate for watermelon seedlings. During the nursing, the activity variation in alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, neutral phosphatase and urease was investigated. In addition, the correlations between pH value, total nitrogen con- tent, total phosphorus content and organic matter content in substrate and enzyme activity were studied. At different young seedling stages, the rhizospheric substrates with different formulas were sampled for determination of enzymes activities. [Result] The enzyme activity differed significantly among different substrates. The correlation analysis results showed that the higher the organic matter content and total nitrogen content in substrate are, the higher the urease activity is; the phosphatase activity was significantly related to the organic matter content, total nitrogen content and to- tal phosphorus content in substrate; the pH value of substrate was significantly relat- ed to rhizospheric alkaline phosphatase activity; the shoot dry weight was positively related to urease activity; there was a significant correlation between phosphatase activity and root dry weight. [Conclusion] Through determining enzymes activities in the rhizospheric substrate for nursing watermelon seedlings, the optimum substrate M3 was screened out. The activities of rhizospheric urease, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and neutral phosphatase in the substrate M3 were all higher than those in the substrate fertilized with manure.

Biochar Supported Nanoscale Zero-valent Iron Composites for the Removal of Petroleum from Wastewater

Considering the need for efficiently and rapidly treating oily wastewater while preventing secondary pollution,the nanoscale zero-valent iron(nZVI)was supported on biochar prepared by using a spent mushroom substrate(SMS),to produce an iron-carbon composite(SMS-nZVI).The ability of the SMS-nZVI to treat wastewater containing high concentration of oil was then comprehensively evaluated.The morphology,structure,and other properties of the composite were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller nitrogen sorption analysis,and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.The results show that the biochar prepared by using the SMS can effectively prevent the agglomeration of nZVI and increase the overall specific surface area,thereby enhancing the absorption of petroleum by the composite.Experiments reveal that compared with the SMS and nZVI,the SMS-nZVI composite removes petroleum faster and more efficiently from wastewater.Under optimized conditions involving an nZVI to biochar mass ratio of 1:5 and a pH value of 4,the efficiency for removal of petroleum from wastewater with an initial petroleum concentration of 1000 mg/L could reach 95%within 5 h.Based on a natural aging treatment involving exposure to air for 30 d,the SMS-nZVI composite retained an oil removal rate of higher than 62%,and this result could highlight its stability for practical applications.