Equine dung as an organic nitrogen supplement in compost formulation for cultivation of white button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus J.E. Lange (Imbach)]

Purpose: The present study aimed to utilize the equine dung as an organic nitrogen supplement in commercial compost formulations for the cultivation of white button mushroom. Method: Four different compost formulations (C1 to C4) were prepared using wheat straw or in combination with paddy straw as...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Roohi Jan, Sachin Gupta, Sudheer Kumar Annepu, Moni Gupta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: OICC Press 2025-08-01
Series:International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
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Online Access:https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/17359
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Summary:Purpose: The present study aimed to utilize the equine dung as an organic nitrogen supplement in commercial compost formulations for the cultivation of white button mushroom. Method: Four different compost formulations (C1 to C4) were prepared using wheat straw or in combination with paddy straw as the basic ligno-cellulosic substrate material. The initial nitrogen levels were maintained at 1.48–1.79% by incorporating various nitrogen enrichment materials such as chicken manure, equine dung, mustard oil cake and wheat bran. Results: The C4 compost formulation (composed of wheat straw – 150 kg, equine dung – 400 kg, mustard oil cake – 30 kg, wheat bran – 30 kg, gypsum – 25 kg, and urea – 6 kg) exhibited the highest biological efficiency of 18.20%, outperforming poultry manure-based compost formulations. Among the various physico-chemical properties of the matured compost, the C:N ratio was identified as a critical factor for achieving higher yields and an extended cropping period. Conclusion: The experimental findings demonstrate an environmentally sustainable approach for utilizing equine dung waste in a productive way to cultivate protein-rich food. This study highlights the potential of equine dung as a valuable component in compost formulations for white button mushroom production.  Highlights ·       Equine Dung as a Sustainable Nitrogen Source: Equine dung was successfully utilized as an organic nitrogen supplement in compost formulations, promoting sustainable and productive management of equine waste. ·       Enhanced Biological Efficiency: The compost, prepared using equine dung, mustard oil cake, wheat bran, gypsum, and urea, resulted in maximum biological efficiency of 18.20%, outperforming the commercial poultry manure-based formulations. ·       Optimized Nitrogen Levels for Yield: Initial nitrogen levels in compost formulations (1.48–1.79%) were optimized to support higher yields of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). ·       Importance of C:N Ratio: Physico-chemical analysis highlighted that the C:N ratio of matured compost significantly influenced mushroom yield and cropping period. ·       Environmental and Nutritional Benefits: The study demonstrates an environmentally sustainable approach to converting equine dung waste into a productive resource for cultivating protein-rich white button mushrooms.
ISSN:2195-3228
2251-7715