Last modified: 2017-04-18
Abstract
Digestate is the remaining material after anaerobic digestion (AD) of a biodegradable feedstock. The process of AD produces two main products: digestate and biogas, whereas digestate is considered as a waste, however it found application in agriculture i.e. as a soil conditioner or cultivation substrate component, stand-alone fertilizer. Digestate is especially rich in nitrogen and phosphorus it can be used as a substrate component for mycelial growth of mushrooms. The fast growth of good quality mycelium is crucial for successful mushroom cultivation. Mycelial growth of five cultivated and medicinal mushrooms species was investigated: Coprinus comatus, Ganoderma lucidum, Agaricus brasiliensis and Laetiporus sulphureus. Digestate from source-segregated biodegradable food waste material was used. Investigation was divided in two parts: in first experiment all five mushroom species were investigated and 3 digestate-only based agar media with growing amount of digestate extract were used (50, 75 and 100 g). For the second experiment fastest growing mushroom from exp. 1, C. comatus, was chosen, mycelial growth was performed on 2 digestate-only based agar media of 25 and 50 g of extract and 2 what/digestate extract based agar media in relation 150/50 g and 175/25 g respectively. Wheat-based and manure-based agar media was used as control medium. The experiment confirmed positive effect of digestate from AD as an addition or main component of agar media culture for mushroom mycelium growth. The amount of digestate extract affected mycelial growth of investigated mushrooms species. The best agar media for mycelial growth and development was digestate-based only with 25 g of extract and wheat/digestate based (150/50 g extract). All investigated mushroom species performed growth on digestate based-media however the fastest and the best growth was obtained for C. comatus. The residue from AD biogas production could have found additional application as media product for mushroom mycelia production and further as a component for mushroom cultivation substrate.
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This abstract was accepted to be presented at the conference entitled “40 Years of Horticulture Education in Cluj-Napoca†Cluj-Napoca, September 27, 2017, being included in ‘Book of Abstracts’ of this special-anniversary event (http://conference.shst.ro). All accepted papers will be published in a special issue of Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca journal.