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Implementation of agricultural residues for oyster mushroom culture has been accepted world-wide. In this study, we used wheat straw, barley straw, maize stem residue, and lawn residue as substrates coupled with wheat bran, rice bran and soybean powder as complements for the growth of P. florida. Wheat and barley straws which contained a high fiber and C/N ratio had the best growth period, fruiting body weight, yield, and biological efficiency. Assessment of substrate and complement combinations indicated that the lowest growth period was obtained from barley straw enriched with rice bran (24.67 day). However the highest fruiting body number (36.33), fruiting body weight (31.17 g), yield (1039 g), and biological efficiency (207.8 %) belonged to wheat straw complemented by either wheat or rice bran. In conclusion, the highest fruiting body weight, yield, and biological efficiency was achieved by implementation of composts in which high fiber substrates and complements were combined.

Recycling of organic wastes through vermicompost production reduces the waste disposal into the environment and avoids the overusage of chemical fertilizers. The purpose of this study is to compare the quality of the raw materials in produced Vermicompost (spent mushroom compost, potato waste and pomegranatemeal + Sawdust, Choppered Corn) and their combination in a completely randomized design. After preparing vermicompost, the parameters, i.e., electrical conductivity, pH, organic carbon content, the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon/nitrogen ratio are measured. the vermicompost production process leads to a significant reduction in C/N, EC and pH. The lowest C/N was related to the vermicompost which is obtained from treatment pomegranate meal + Sawdust + spent mashroom compost waste. The obtained Vermicomposts included higher amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumin compare to the raw materials. The highest nitrogen content was related to spent mashroom compost + potato waste treatment. As a result, the production of vermicompost from organic wastes leads to an increase in the nutritional value of the fertilizer and eventually the fertility of the soil. In conclusion, the chemical fertilizers can be replaced as well, with the produced organic bio-fertilizer with the lowest cost.Thus problems associated by the use of chemical fertilizers, which today are one of the greatest environmental problems in the world, can be solved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan (2%), ascorbic acid (40 g/L), citric acid (40 g/L), lavender oil (70%), cinnamon oil (50%) and heat treatment to enhance the quality and shelf-life of sliced dried button mushroom ( Agaricus bisporous) stored at 4°C for 19 days. Based on a completely randomized design, the experiment included seven treatments and four replications. Mushroom weight loss, soluble solids content (SSC), firmness, browning index (BI), vitamin C, pH, overall acceptability, and shelf-life were measured. Lavender oil treatment was found to result in comparatively the most favorable effects in terms of BI, overall acceptability, marketability, weight loss, longevity and firmness of mushrooms. The study recommends lavender oil treatment as an economical processing strategy for preserving the quality and extending the storage life of ready-to-use air-dried sliced mushrooms. Practical Applications Unfortunately, mushrooms are highly perishable and tend to lose their quality during 3 days at room temperature and 8 days under refrigeration conditions in the fresh form, because they have no cuticle to protect them from physical damage, microbial attack and water loss as well as their high respiration rate. Their high respiration rate and high water content make them prone to microbial spoilage and enzymatic browning. Due to the lack of knowledge about an appropriate treatment for preserving the quality of sliced mushrooms, particularly air-dried mushrooms and because most of studies have focused on only a few number of qualitative traits of mushrooms this study was conducted to develop an efficient cost-effective procedure applicable for improving most of the postharvest qualitative traits of ready-to-use air-dried mushrooms with safe natural compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the possible use of prominent agricultural wastes, including wheat and barley straw, maize stem residue, wood chips, sugar beet pulp, and sawdust as basal substrates, as well as wheat and rice bran, soybean powder, and their combinations as food supplements on king oyster mushroom production. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. The highest yield (2363.2 g kg−1), biological efficiency (236.32%), production rate (225.96 kg day−1), and the shortest pinhead formation stage (10 days) were observed in sugar beet pulp mixed with rice bran. The shortest time for primary fruit body phase (3.66 days) and complete fruit body phase (4.5 days) were observed in wheat straw combined with soybean powder as well as barley straw mixed with some supplements, respectively. Different substrate compositions had significant effects on the growth period, yield, production rate, and biological efficiency ofPleurotus eryngiiwidely used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background & Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the bactericidal effect of three medicinal plant species, including Thymus vulgaris, Trachyspermum ammi, and Mentha aquatica on Erwinia carotovora growth. Experimental: This research was done in a factorial to completely randomized design with three concentrations, and three replicates on nutrient agar culture medium. Results &Discussion: Results of this study indicated that the essential oils from the studied plants were effective against Erwinia carotovora. At 300 ppm concentration, diameter of growth inhabitation was 43 mm. Results indicated the essential oil from T. ammi, especially at 300 and 400 ppm concentrations had the highest antibacterial activity against Erwinia carotovora with 43.00 and 46.67 mm diameter of growth inhabitation. In addition, there was no significant difference between 300 and 400 ppm concentrations of M. aquatica and at concentrations of 200, 300, and 400 ppm for T. vulgaris. Recommended applications/industries: The overall results indicated the essential oils, especially Trachyspermum ammi have antibacterial activity against Erwinia carotovora; it seems that the essential oils can be employed in manufacturing desirable bactericidal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]