The Effect of Different Casing Soils on Quantitative Indices Blazei Mushroom (Agaricus blazei)

ABSTRACT: In this study, ten casing soils formulas were used to determine their effect on quantitative Indices in blazei mushroom. Parameters such as number of mushroom per square meter, salable weight, non-salable weight, single fruit body weight and yield rate were measured. The best results in number and salable weight obtained in CCS * DCS, CCS * VSMC treatments, whereas lowest number and salable weight were observed in SMC, VSMC, VSMC * SMC compared with control treatment. Use of spent compost mushroom alone as a casing soil due to the high electrical conductivity and low water potential and delay in fruiting body formation was not suitable. Vermicompost, also because of fine texture and compact, high viscosity and electrical conductivity (EC) was not suitable for use as a casing soil. there is the possibility of mixing both of them with other substrates with a low EC to increase their re-use potential. So that number of mushroom in square meter and salable weight of the CCS *VSMC treatment significantly increased in compare with control.