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COMPOST The straw By Ray Samp (1) Phase I bunker – maximum composting efficiency.
In the other article, the point was made that whatever the quality of straw at the start of the composting cycle, it must be taken to a similar degree of decomposition by the end of the phase I process. Consequently baled straw that is slightly weathered, a bit softer, and of mo- derate length is much easier to compost than excessi- vely waxy, bright, tubular, and long straw. Complicating the issue is that the mushroom seems to like compost that is more mature or advanced in decomposition. That makes it even more difficult to achieve high yields with the fresher stuff. So what is a mushroom composter to do when straw quality varies from year-to-year? This is the fundamental challenge of the composter: to take the raw materials in whatever form it may be in any given year and make it into productive, selective phase I compost. The ‘art’ is to orchestrate the compos- ting cycle in such a way that the process suits the raw material and ends up with good, productive compost in the end. If the cycle he chooses is too long and aggres- sive for the type of straw being used, the medium can be over-composted and present all types of cultural problems in phase II/III and beyond. If the cycle is too short for the raw materials in question, the medium can be too ‘green’ and immature, which presents bulk density and yield problems.
(2) Ricks provide less decomposition per day.
Time and space Fundamentally the solution to managing straw variabi- lity is manipulating time and process. That is, managing the amount of time that the raw materials are compos- ted and the processes used to compost them. First let’s explore the amount of time needed. This is the number of days it takes to break-down the straw to the suitable degree of decomposition and bulk density required for phase II fill. In the case of baled straw this can be anywhere from a minimum of 10/12 days for well weat- hered, shorter straw, to up to 28 days for bright, waxy, long straw, depending on the process. One of the basic errors I have found on several mushroom farms is insufficient working area on the composting slab. In years when the straw is tough to compost, more time is needed, however more time means more space. Every week of time requires more batches of compost to be laid down before phase II
that we use
In my last article (Mushroom Business 56 – December 2012) we discussed some experiences with the basic composting raw material, wheat straw. But how a good composter may make required adjustments for variable straw (quality) is another element of the ‘art of composting’.
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