John Miller
The spent mushroom substrate, or SMS, can be reused in several ways. One way is to use it as a growing substrate for new mushroom cultivation cycles, either as a casing material or a substrate for growing other species. It can also be composted and used as a soil additive or plant growing medium. Additionally, it can be used for bioremediation, crop production, food for animals and fish, and pest management. Some people also choose to clone their mushrooms or create liquid cultures from their own spore prints to introduce to new substrates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reusing exhausted mycelium | Requires adding more food, such as coco coir, seeds, coffee grounds, or new substrate |
| Spent mushroom substrate uses | Bioremediation, crop production, mushroom cultivation, animal and fish food, pest management |
| Recycling spent mushroom substrates | Aerobic composting to produce novel horticultural substrates, such as crop substrates |
| Alternative uses | Casing material for growing Agaricus spp., substrate for growing other species, food for worms |
| Other considerations | Creating spore prints for unlimited free spores, cloning large mushrooms, making BRF cakes |
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What You'll Learn
Use it as a growing substrate for other mushroom species
Reusing mushroom substrate is an excellent way to support sustainable farming practices while also reducing costs. The practice helps conserve natural resources, decrease carbon footprint, and enhance soil structure, leading to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective process.
When it comes to reusing mushroom substrate as a growing substrate for other mushroom species, there are a few important steps to follow. Firstly, it is crucial to check the substrate for any decaying or mouldy material. Any remnants of broken mushrooms or contaminated areas should be removed to prevent the spread of contamination.
The next step is to rehydrate the substrate. This can be done by submerging the substrate block in room-temperature water for up to 24 hours, ensuring that it is completely submerged. After rehydration, carefully pour off any excess water, as it is important to avoid soggy conditions. If you are working with smaller cakes of substrate, you can roll them in a layer of sterilised vermiculite, which will help retain moisture for the next flush.
Once the substrate is sufficiently hydrated, it's time to focus on creating the right environmental conditions. Maintain high humidity levels of 90-95% through regular misting, and keep a stable temperature of around 21-25°C. Providing indirect light for about 12 hours each day is also important. Proper ventilation and distribution of fresh air will help reduce the risk of contamination.
Within a week or so, you should start to see new pins forming. Continue with the misting and fanning regimen to encourage healthy mushroom development. For subsequent flushes, repeat the same process of misting and fanning after harvesting the previous flush. It is worth noting that reusing the substrate may result in smaller mushrooms, but the technique often produces more even pin sets.
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Use it as a casing material for growing Agaricus spp
The casing layer is an essential component in the cultivation of Agaricus spp, such as Agaricus bisporus, commonly known as the white button mushroom. The casing layer is used to cover the mushroom compost after it has been fully colonized by mycelium, triggering the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. Mushrooms will not fruit without a casing layer, and this includes Agaricus spp such as Agaricus bitorquis and Agaricus blazei.
The casing layer maintains the necessary moisture levels for Agaricus spp, preventing excessive drying during the fruiting stage. It also provides an essential nitrogen source, as the microorganisms in the casing layer break down wheat straw in the composted substrate, releasing sugar residues that nourish the growing mushrooms.
When reusing spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as part of the casing layer for Agaricus spp, it is important to first prepare the SMS. Studies have shown that SMS can be successfully used as casing material for Agaricus spp without negatively affecting yield compared to using fresh materials. One study mixed spent mushroom substrate from Pleurotus with wheat straw (1:1), calcium sulfate, and calcium carbonate.
To optimize the growing environment for Agaricus spp, the relative humidity, ventilation, and temperature must be carefully controlled. The ideal temperature for Agaricus bisporus fruiting is between 15 and 17 °C, 7 to 9 °C below the temperature considered optimal for substrate colonization.
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Use it as compost
Used mushroom substrate can be recycled as compost to grow new mushrooms or other plants. Mushroom compost is not very nutritious, but it can be used as a soil amendment or additive.
One way to recycle spent mushroom substrate is to use vermiculture, or worm composting. Worm castings (worm faeces) can be used as a growing medium or substrate additive for new plants. This method of composting is considered fun and low-maintenance, and the resulting castings are mixed with vermiculite, which aids in root aeration and helps the substrate blend.
You can also use spent mushroom substrate as a casing material for growing Agaricus spp. and as a substrate for growing other mushroom species. Before reusing the substrate, it may be necessary to sterilize it to prevent the growth of other mushrooms. Additionally, you can mix in other food supplies, such as coco coir, coffee grounds, and seeds, to provide additional nutrients for the mushrooms.
If you are unsure about how to reuse your mushroom substrate as compost, you can consult soil experts or companies that specialize in mushroom cultivation for advice and nutrient kits.
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Use it as food for animals and fish
Used mushroom substrate can be reused as food for animals and fish. The reuse of SMS in animal feed has been shown to be nutritionally beneficial and environmentally sustainable. SMS is rich in protein and other nutrients, making it a valuable food source for animals and fish.
Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) has been found to be a good food source for the larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor. These larvae are widely used as food for captive insectivorous mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. In South Korea, a study found that SMS could replace wheat bran in the diet of T. molitor larvae, with similar survival rates.
SMS has also been included in the diets of poultry, ruminants, and monogastric animals. It has been shown to improve the nutritional quality of feed rations, with higher protein content and reduced levels of anti-nutritional compounds. For example, the growth of P. ostreatus mushrooms on faba bean hulls increased their protein content from 208 g kg-1 to 347 g kg-1 in the SMS.
The use of SMS as animal feed can also help reduce environmental waste. The mushroom industry generates large quantities of organic waste that can be reused as feed, reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal. SMS is also a cheaper alternative to conventional feed, offering cost savings for farmers.
However, there are some challenges to using SMS as a regular diet ingredient, such as its fiber content and digestibility, as well as animal acceptance. Proper processing, storage, and preparation of SMS for animal feed are crucial to ensure food safety and minimize potential risks.
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Use it for pest management
Used mushroom substrate, or spent mushroom substrate (SMS), still contains valuable nutrients and organic compounds that can be reused in pest management. SMS has antimicrobial and bioremediation properties that can be leveraged to suppress plant diseases and control plant pathogens and pests.
SMS is effective in suppressing plant disease incidence and has been explored for use in various vegetable crops, including asparagus, beetroot, cauliflower, cabbage, capsicums, celery, cucumber, lettuce, green gram, mustard, onion, potato, radish, snap bean, spinach, sugar beet, tomato, and zucchini. The bioactive compounds in SMS have antimicrobial properties that can be used against plant pathogens.
When reusing SMS for pest management, it is important to ensure proper sanitization and contamination prevention. The substrate should be thoroughly sterilized or pasteurized to eliminate any harmful organisms, such as competing fungi, bacteria, or pests, that could interfere with plant growth. Maintaining a clean environment and regularly monitoring for signs of contamination, such as unusual colors or odors, are crucial steps in successful SMS reuse.
Additionally, SMS can be used in conjunction with other pest management strategies, such as integrated pest management (IPM) practices, to create a comprehensive and sustainable approach to pest control. By reusing SMS, growers can not only improve their crop health but also reduce waste and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Overall, the reuse of SMS for pest management offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution, contributing to the health of the ecosystem and providing valuable nutrients to support biodiversity.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to reuse mushroom substrate is to compost it with worms via vermiculture. This will give you worm castings, which can be used as a substrate additive. You can also reuse mushroom substrate by adding more food to it, such as coco coir, seeds, coffee grounds, or seedlings.
Reusing mushroom substrate can provide both economic and ecological benefits. It can also help to reduce the accumulation of waste in mushroom-producing areas, which can pose a potential pollution risk.
Spent mushroom substrate can be used for bioremediation, crop production, food for animals and fish, and pest management. It can also be used as a casing material for growing certain types of mushrooms.
