Productivity, biological efficiency, and number of Agaricus blazei mushrooms grown in compost in the presence of Trichoderma sp. and Chaetomium olivacearum contaminants

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the fungi Trichoderma sp. and Chaetomium olivacearum on the productivity, biological efficiency and number of Agaricus blazei mushrooms grown in compost (mixture of crushed sugarcane, coast-cross grass trash, soybean meal, gypsum, and calcitic limestone). The experiment consisted of 3 treatments (Trichoderma sp., C. olivacearum, and a control) with 8 replications each (box containing 12kg of compost colonized by A. blazei). Later, 150g of inoculum of each contaminant fungus (Trichoderma sp. and C. olivacearum) were distributed on the surface of the compost previously colonized by A. blazei. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with a plastic roof, under relative humidity of about 60-90% and temperature between 20-34oC. Productivity was determined from the relation between fresh weight of the mushroom and fresh weight of the compost. Biological efficiency was determined from the relation between fresh weight of the mushroom and dry weight of the compost at the end of the harvesting period. Based on results obtained, the contaminant fungi did not affect the productivity, biological efficiency, and number of A. blazei mushrooms grown in compost when introduced into previously colonized composts.