Performance of Spent Mushroom Substrates Waste on Seedling Growth of Selected Crops

The increasing demand for mushrooms in consumer markets has led to significant growth in the Malaysian mushroom industry. However, this expansion has generated a surplus of spent mushroom substrates (SMS), creating challenges for waste management and environmental protection. This study explores the agricultural potential of various SMS from split-gill, oyster, abalone, Ganoderma, and black jelly mushrooms by evaluating their impact on the seedling growth of rice (MR220CL2 and MR297), maize, and wheatgrass. The research compares fresh and dried SMS, along with commercial compost soil, as growth media. The results demonstrate that SMS of split-gill and Ganoderma significantly enhance rice seedling growth, while dried SMS from oyster and black jelly significantly improve maize early growth. Moreover, specific fresh SMS types, notably split-gill, match the growth potential of compost in wheatgrass cultivation. The study underscores SMS versatility, emphasizing the importance of tailored SMS selection for optimal crop cultivation. These findings provide valuable insights into sustainable agricultural waste management and highlight SMS as an eco-friendly alternative for enhancing crop productivity and ensuring food security.