Exploring the potential of incorporating spent button mushroom compost (SMC) to nursery potting mixture of betel (Piper betle L.)

Abstract

Spent Button Mushroom Compost (SMC) is a valuable by-product of mushroom cultivation. However, this is not adequately utilized in agriculture. The potential of incorporating SMC into betel nursery potting mixture was evaluated. The study was conducted at Intercropping and Betel Research Station, Narammala. The Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) Recommended potting mixture [T1; top soil: sand: coir dust: cattle manure (1:1:1:1)] was used as the control treatment with four different SMC incorporated potting mixtures [T2; SMC: top soil: coir dust: sand (1:1:1:1), T3; SMC: top soil: sand (1:1:1), T4; SMC: top soil: coir dust: sand: poultry manure (1:1:1:1:1), T5; SMC: top soil: sand: poultry manure (1:1:1:1)]. The experiment was conducted as a complete randomized design with five replicates. Single nodal “Ratadalu” stem cuttings were used as planting materials. The pH, Electrical Conductivity, and nutrient composition (N, P, and K) of potting mixtures were analysed initially. Under growth parameters, the number of leaves per plant, shoot length, shoot diameter, fresh weight of roots and shoots, dry weight of roots and shoots and root volume were recorded in two weeks interval. Significantly (p<0.05) the highest growth shoot length (29.84±7.12 cm), shoot fresh weight (10.46±3.99 g), root dry weight (0.15±0.11 g) were observed in the T3 potting mixture at 9th week after planting. Furthermore, T3 showed the highest shoot dry weight (0.70±0.30 g) (p<0.1) significance level. Moreover, T3 potting mixture showed more similar performances to the DEA recommended potting mixture. In addition to growth parameters, nutrient analysis indicated higher (0.46%), N (0.17%), P (0.01%), K (0.28%) values respected for T3 potting mixture. Therefore, comparing SMC incorporated potting mixtures, the T3 nursery potting mixture showed the best performance for betel. Hence, present study concluded that spent button mushroom compost can be incorporated in the nursery potting mixture of betel.