Spent Mushroom Substrate: A Ruby in the Rubble

Abstract

The decomposed organic material that is left over after a crop of mushrooms is known as spent mushroom substrate (SMS). If not managed appropriately, it causes a number of environmental issues. More than 50 million tonnes of SMS needs to be disposed of each year by the global mushroom industry. The most current environmental legislation has compelled mushroom farmers to consider more agreeable SMS disposal methods. The efficient application of SMS in the fields of agricultural production, crop protection, mushroom cultivation, weed management, bioremediation, composting, vermicomposting, etc. is thus highlighted by this study. A fresh SMS has outstanding aeration, porosity, water-holding capacity, and nutrition, making it the optimal medium for plant growth. SMS is home to fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes that aid in its breakdown and fight off soil-borne diseases. SMS mulching creates a physical barrier that prevents weed seeds from sprouting and growing, making it easier to manage weeds in crop areas. Mushroom production can use recycled substrate that has been supplemented with starch, peptone, and wheat bran. SMS is the perfect bioremediation agent for a variety of environmental issues because of its distinct physical, chemical, and biological qualities. The disposal of SMS continues to be one of the key environmental issues in nations that produce mushrooms. Each kilogramme of mushrooms produces about 5 kg of SMS. The enzymes extracted from SMS can be used for industrial applications and the bioremediation of contaminants in addition to being used in green technology projects. As a result, SMS can now be considered as a renewable resource from the mushroom industry rather than a waste.