2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Mushroom producers are continually looking for new substrate (compost) raw material sources and pathways to dispose of mushroom compost (formerly called "Spent Mushroom Substrate") after crop completion. A relatively new material used in the mushroom industry is corn stover, but supplies are somewhat limited. Corn farmers are often reluctant to remove stover from fields because of nutrient loss and possible soil erosion due to reduced soil protection. Mushroom compost is a potential substitute for stover that can provide these same benefits. In this study we evaluate the potential to improve corn crop yield and soil quality through stover removal coupled with the application of fresh mushroom compost. We removed stover in varying amounts and replaced it with mushroom compost at several rates in order to find the optimal rate for both, and to provide a rationale to replace stover with mushroom compost in order to generate additional income for corn farmers, and increase substrate component availability and mushroom compost disposal alternatives, to the mushroom industry.