Characteristics and Distribution of Microorganisms in a Rice Straw Compost for Cultivation of Button Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

Chan-Jung  Lee1,*   Young-Mi  Yoo1   Ji-Won  Moon1   Won-Sik   Kong1   Yong-Gyun   Kim2   Byung-Eui   Lee3   Min-Ho   Yoon4   Tong-min   Sa5   

1Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science
2Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services
3Department of Chemistry, Soonchunhyang University
4Department of Bio Environmental Chemistry, Chungnam National University
5Department of Environmental and Biological Chemistry, Chungbuk National University

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the densities and taxonomic characteristics of various microorganisms that play important roles in Agaricus bisporus culture medium composting, and examined changes in the levels of decomposition-related enzymes secreted by these microorganisms. Various microorganisms such as thermophilic bacteria, actinomycetes, fluorescent Pseudomonas spp., and filamentous bacteria are closely associated with culture medium composts of Agaricus bisporus. The population densities of microorganisms change, and harmful bacteria disappear during thermophilic composting. Psychrobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., and Pseudoxanthomonas sp. accounted for the highest proportion of bacteria in the culture media during outdoor composting, whereas Bacillus sp. and PsychroBacillus sp. were dominant after pasteurization. Cellulose and hemicellulose enzymes of the microorganisms were important at an early stage of rice straw composting and after decomposition of carbon sources, respectively. Microorganisms that secreted these enzymes were present in the second and third turning stage of composting.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by research grants (PJ011125) provided by the Rural Development administration (RDA) of Korea.

Figures & Tables