Influence of enriched spent mushroom substrate on microbial population, nutrient availability and yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to ameliorate the quality of spent mushroom substrate by enriching it with biofertilizers like Azotobacter, PSB and KMB and its beneficial effect on soil health and yield of radish crop. Influence of enriched spent mushroom substrate on soil was estimated in terms of microbial activities and nutrient availability of soil to plant. The treatment T4 - SMS + Consortium of AZT + PSB + KMB was significantly superior over other treatments in terms of microbial population, nutrient availability of soil and yield of radish followed by treatment T5 – FYM + Consortium of AZT + PSB + KMB. The minimum observations were recorded in treatment T8 - Absolute control. The increased microbial activities positively showed increase in nutrient availability of soil to plant and yield attributes in radish crop.