The Effect of Cotton Waste Composting Duration on Straw Mushroom Production

Abstract

In Indonesia straw compost is used as a common medium for straw mushroom cultivation, because its high cellulose and hemiceilulose contents. Nevertheless, cotton waste derived from textile industry and dried banana leaves can be used for straw mushroom VoIi'ariella voivacea Bull. cx. Fr. Sing cultivation, because their cellulose and hemicellulose contentS are also high. Cotton wastes were composted for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days, while dried banana leaves were composted for 20 days. Different amounts of limes and rice brans were added during composting The mixture of cotton waste and banana leaves compost at a ratio of 3:1 for each composting duration were used as the media for straw mushroom cultivation. Three replications were used for each treatment. The media were pasteurized at about 60'C for two hours, then the temperature was maintained at 52C for 8 hours. Spawning was carried Out when the temperature dropped to 35'C, and then the mushroom house was closed for three days. Afterthat watering was carried out until the appearance of primordia. Harvesting was carried out when the basidioma was at button or egg stage. The result showed that cotton waste composting durations gave significant differences on straw mushroom production after 21 days of harvesting. The highest production was on 5 days of composting.