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The edible mushroom industry, valued at approximately $42 billion of what, prominently features Agaricus bisporus, or the champignon, which constitutes 30% of global production. This industry's growth is attributed to the nutritional and medicinal benefits of edible fungi. The cultivation of champignons is complex, beginning with the composting of agricultural waste to create a nutrient-rich substrate. Despite the promise of sustainable production, the spent compost poses a challenge due to its high phosphate content, hindering its use as fertilizer and disrupting the circular production cycle.
The growth of A. bisporus is intricately linked to the specific compost formulation and the presence of its substrate's microbiome. However, the exact mechanisms remain partially understood. Stable isotope tracers were employed in order to trace nutrient transport within the compost, examining interactions at both micro and macro levels using high resolution techniques (SEM, nanoSIMS and EPMA) together with bulk analysis (PLFAs, DNA, and IRMS). The study revealed that nutrient translocation is growth-dependent and primarily sourced from the top compost layer. A. bisporus interacts with bacterial populations, experiencing both competition and enhanced nutrient availability, while nematodes are present in low numbers and their contribution in the carbon flow is limited, suggesting no significant threat to the cultivation process. The elemental analysis of A. bisporus filaments highlighted essential elements' roles in nutrient uptake and environmental interactions.
This detailed understanding of microbial interactions and nutrient dynamics can optimize compost generation, enhancing mushroom yield and quality, reducing chemical input reliance, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.