The effect of the perlite with vermicompost as casing soil on yield and quality in mushroom cultivation

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of perlite with vermicompost on yield and quality in cultivation mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). The research was carried out in the climate controlled mushroom production room located in the Research and Treatments area of Akdeniz University Faculty of Agriculture. Peat (Control-1) and perlite (Control-2) were used as casing soil in the study. Treatments including a mixture of liquid, solid, liquid and solid forms of vermicompost and their different doses have been tried. Treatments and doses made in perlite as casing soil: Liquid Vermicompost1 (S1), Liquid Vermicompost2 (S2), Liquid Vermicompost3 (S3), Solid Vermicompost1 ( K1), Solid Vermicompost2 (K2), Solid Vermicompost3 (K3), Liquid + Solid vermicompost1 (SK1), Liquid + Solid vermicompost2 (SK2), Liquid + Solid vermicompost3 (SK3), In the research, total mushroom yield, marketable mushroom yield, first two flash total mushroom yield, 1. Flash mushroom yield, 2. Flash mushroom yield, 3. Flash mushroom yield, earliness, average fruit weight, mechanical hardness, dry matter amount and L parameters such as a* and b* color values were examined. As a result of the research, the highest total yield was obtained from Solid Vermicompost2 (K2) application with a value of 35.69 kg 100 kg-1 when compared to conventional casing soil, which took place as control. The highest values in the first two flash yields were obtained from Control-1 (31.10 kg) and Solid Vermicompost (K2) (31.22 kg). As a result of the study, it was observed that vermicompost applications in liquid, solid and liquid+solid forms mixed in perlite media had a positive effect on the fungal yield, some applications were similar to the control results or increased the yield compared to the control, and it was found that it could be an alternative cover material to peat. However, quite exciting results; an application was made to the Turkish Patent Institute because it brings a radical solution to the management of diseases and pests caused by casing soil and it is both environmentally friendly and sustainable, and the results of the research were recorded in the Registry with the number 2019/09514 dated 26/06/2019.