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Recycling of spent mushroom compost using earthworms Eisenia foetida and Eisenia andrei

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Abstract

A 90-day study conducted to explore the potential of epigeic earthworms Eisenia foetida and Eisenia andrei to transform the different types of agricultural wastes and spent mushroom compost into value-added product, i.e., vermicompost. Vermicomposting resulted in significant reduction in C:N ratio, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, TK; and increase in total Kajeldahl nitrogen, TP, and various micro and macronutrients compared to those in the worm feed. Our trials demonstrated that the vermicomposting could be considered as an alternate technology for recycling and environmentally safe disposal/management of the mushroom cultivation complexes’ residues mixed with different types of agricultural waste using epigeic earthworms E. foetida and E. andrei.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran , Iran

    J. Tajbakhsh & M. A. Abdoli

  2. Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-336, Tehran, Iran

    E. Mohammadi Goltapeh

  3. Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    I. Alahdadi

  4. Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-336, Tehran, Iran

    M. J. Malakouti

Authors
  1. J. Tajbakhsh
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  2. M. A. Abdoli
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  3. E. Mohammadi Goltapeh
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  4. I. Alahdadi
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  5. M. J. Malakouti
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Correspondence to J. Tajbakhsh or E. Mohammadi Goltapeh.

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Tajbakhsh, J., Abdoli, M.A., Mohammadi Goltapeh, E. et al. Recycling of spent mushroom compost using earthworms Eisenia foetida and Eisenia andrei . Environmentalist 28, 476–482 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-008-9172-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-008-9172-6

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