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A New Circular Economy Approach for Integrated Production of Tomatoes and Mushrooms

Summary

This research demonstrates an innovative approach to sustainable farming by combining tomato and mushroom production in an integrated system. The study shows how agricultural waste from mushroom cultivation can be recycled to grow tomatoes while continuing to produce mushrooms, creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly farming method. Impacts on everyday life: • Reduces agricultural waste by reusing mushroom growing materials • Provides a more sustainable method for small-scale farmers to increase production • Offers potential cost savings in farming operations • Creates more efficient use of growing space by producing two crops simultaneously • Demonstrates practical applications of circular economy principles in agriculture

Background

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is a by-product of the mushroom industry that undergoes alterations during fungal cultivation, resulting in a product with high biotechnological value. Mushrooms can be cultivated on varied agroindustry residual green biomasses, enabling different activities to be interconnected within a circular economy model. For vegetable seedling production, alternative substrates can offer potential in both cost reduction and development of sustainable growing systems.

Objective

To investigate the viability of spent mushroom substrate as a nutrient source for tomato seedlings and develop an integrated tomato and mushroom co-production system. The study aimed to demonstrate a new system for integrated mushroom and tomato production in acclimatized greenhouses, as a model of integration of palm oil production, fungiculture and olericulture within the precepts of the circular economy.

Results

Plants treated with substrate colonized with A. bisporus presented superior root length (10.1 cm) and aerial part length (6.6 cm). In the co-cultivation system, treatment with substrate colonized with A. bisporus showed high yields of tomato (2.35 kg/plant pot) and mushrooms (1.33 kg/plant pot). The tomato production time was reduced by 60 days and mushroom production was prolonged by 120 days. The integrated system demonstrated successful co-production of both crops.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that it is possible to integrate productive chains in a sustainable system combining fungiculture, olericulture, and palm oil culture through the use of spent mushroom substrate or colonized substrates from A. bisporus supplemented with palm oil agroindustry residues. The proposed integrated and sustainable system of co-production of tomato and mushrooms is applicable to smallholder farmers.
  • Published in:Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.12.058
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