Abstract
A quality model has been developed from parameters determining the interactions of physical, chemical, and biological factors during the preparation of mushroom compost for growing Agaricus bisporus. Our results show that a partial least square model based on the combination of pH, dry matter, ammonia, carbon, hydrogen, ash, Cu, Fe, and Na could explain nearly 90% of the variation in mushroom yield obtained from four compost comparative trials. The yields in the data base for generating the model ranged from 138 to 305 kg per tonne of compost. The validity of the yield model has been confirmed in a trial carried out in collaboration with experienced commercial growers. This has significant implications for compost producers, as production efficiencies can be maintained by targeting the important parameters.Key words: Agaricus bisporus, compost quality, partial least squares model, modelling, physiology.
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Subject
Genetics,Molecular Biology,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,General Medicine,Immunology,Microbiology