Bio degradation of organic wastes by Pleurotus eous mushroom

Abstract

Composting is an important strategy for the management of organic wastes to get quality end product with better microbial community. Various fungi and bacteria including mushrooms were selected for degradation of agro wastes. The studies were conducted on the following aspects viz., collection and utilization of locally available agricultural residues as substrates, addition of inorganic and organic additives to substrates along with Pleurotus eous (APK1) mushroom for decomposition. The substrates like sugarcane trash, sugarcane bagasse, groundnut shell, lawn grass and coir waste and additives such as urea, gypsum, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, groundnut oil cake, gingelly oil cake and neem oil cake were used in this study. The components viz., carbon, nitrogen and crude fibre with each additive were analysed after incubation period. Sugarcane trash with urea decomposed highly with minimum C: N ratio. Crude fibre content was less in groundnut shell with urea.