How can spent mushroom substrate be reused? Here are several practical methods

In rural areas, some mushroom growers lack awareness of environmental protection. After the growing season ends, they move the spent substrate out of the mushroom house and let it rot in the open, which both pollutes the environment and wastes a usable resource, which is truly a pity. How can spent mushroom substrate be turned from waste into treasure? Here are 4 methods for reusing spent mushroom substrate that you might want to try.

1. As a substrate for cultivating shaggy ink cap mushrooms (Coprinus comatus). Spent substrate from mushroom cultivation, as long as the mycelium grew well and the substrate was not contaminated by competing microorganisms, can be sun-dried and crushed, then added at 30% to new substrate for cultivating shaggy ink cap mushrooms, and its economic benefit is quite considerable.

2. Processed into mushroom bran as feed. Spent mushroom substrate still contains a large amount of mycelium, and the mycelium contains a large amount of protein and various amino acids that go unused. Sun-dry in time and crush spent mushroom substrate with snow-white mycelial growth and no contamination of the substrate, then add it at 10% to feed to feed pigs, chickens and other livestock and poultry, which can reduce breeding costs.

3. As fertilizer for crops. The various substrates left after mushroom cultivation are a high-quality organic fertilizer and can be applied in orchards of citrus, pear, grape and other fruit trees. Dig ring-shaped trenches around the fruit trees, with trenches 50 cm deep, and bury the spent mushroom substrate deeply, which can improve the soil, raise fruit quality, and increase yield and income. It can also be used as a fertilizer for cotton flower buds and as a base fertilizer for potatoes. In flower cultivation, mix spent mushroom substrate with fertile soil, pile it up for fermentation, and use it as a base fertilizer for growing flowers. It greatly improves the soil structure, aeration, and water retention capacity for flower growth, and the flowers that grow have lush leaves and bright blooms, with low cost.

4. As fuel for sterilization and mushroom shed heating. Sun-dry and store the spent mushroom logs after fruiting, and use them as fuel for sterilization during the production of spawn and cooked substrate cultivation. This saves energy and production investment, and at the same time solves the environmental pollution problem caused by the waste.

In winter, the natural temperature is low. If no heating measures are used in the shed, fruiting will be difficult. If coal is used for heating, costs increase.