Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) of different weathering age and recomposted by different methods was used as manure for nutritionally poor soil and its effects were studied on vegetative growth, yield and quality of tomato. Results of the study revealed that amending of arable soil with 6 to 24 months old naturally weathered SMS @ 25 tonnes/ha, enhanced the vegetative growth, yield and quality of tomato over FYM and control treatments, and the effect was at par with recommended dose of fertilizers. Cultivation of tomato in soil mixed with anaerobically or aerobically recomposted SMS also resulted in significant increase in the yield and quality of tomatoes. Soils manured with anaerobically recomposted SMS, also reduced the incidence of leaf curl virus, fruit rotting microbes and fruit borer both on plants and tomatoes. The use of anaerobically recomposted SMS for tomato cultivation was found to be a better option of spent mushroom substrate disposal and raising crops organically.
Button mushroom, spent mushroom substrate, tomato, yield, quality
