https://doi.org/10.37229/fsa.fjh.2024.12.11

Mushroom cultivation is an effective biotechnological method for converting agricultural waste into valuable food. We carried out two systematic experiments: (Exp. A) to examine the impact of potassium humate supplementation on oyster mushroom characteristics and (Exp. B) to investigate the effects of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) mixed with peat moss (PM) in the nursery of cucumber seedlings and its synergistic effect on the growth parameters. Our study revealed that supplementing the substrate with 1.5 g kg⁻¹ of potassium humate significantly enhanced key mushroom traits. Furthermore, a mixture of 1 part SMS to 2 parts PM (S4) optimally promoted cucumber seedling growth, improving morphological, physiological, and fruit quality parameters across two cultivation seasons. These results could demonstrate the advantages of potassium humate as a critical complement in the growth medium of oyster mushroom and highlight the viability of recycling mushroom production waste into a sustainable nursery substrate. This research contributes to strategies for circular agricultural practices by showcasing the transformation of waste streams into valuable resources for crop production.