Technology and effect of Phase Ⅱ composting in compost tunnel

A compost tunnel was used in this research to conduct Phase Ⅱ composting, and temperature, pH value, nitrogen content, microbial changes were determined to provide theoretical basis for intensive production of compost for Agaricus bisporus growing. The technique could pasteurize the compost at 57-62℃ for 10 h and keep the compost at 45-53℃ for 5 d. After Phase Ⅱ composting, content of nitrogen in compost increased from 1.58% to 1.85%, and pH value decreased from 8.7 to 7.5. Thermophilic bacteria rose from 5.2×108 cfu/g to 7.3×108 cfu/g at the third day, and decreased to 2.88×108 cfu/g in the end. Thermophilic actinomycetes and fungus increased from 2.4×105 cfu/g and 3.2×104 cfu/g to 19.6×105 cfu/g and 10.1×104 cfu/g, respectively. The results indicated that after Phase Ⅱ composting in the tunnel the compost was favorable for growth of the Agaricus bisporus, and the technique was recommended to be applied in large-scale production of high-quality compost of Agaricus bisporus.