Role of spent mushroom substrate in enhancing the growth parameters of three leafy vegetables

The results revealed that the seeds of amaranthus and spinach germinated within 5-7 days of sowing while the germination of coriander was recorded after 10 days of sowing in SMS filled pots. Whereas the leafy vegetables amaranthus and spinach germinated within 10 days of sowing whereas coriander germinated within 15-20 days of sowing in control pots (only soil). The growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves and length of leaves, diameter of leaves recorded at 20th and 40th day after sowing showed that there is no significant effect of spent mushroom substrate on plant height in three leafy vegetables whereas there is a significant effect on growth parameters number of leaves, length of leaves and diameter of leaves at 20th day after sowing whereas after 40 days after sowing only in spinach there is a significant increase in leaf length and leaf diameter while in coriander there is a significant increase in plant height whereas there is no significant effect on other parameters. The serial dilution of SMS in three leafy vegetables Amaranthus, Spinach and Coriander pots along with the control recorded the presence of microflora Cladosporium sp, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp. in palak, whereas in amaranthus Trichoderma sp. was predominant and in coriander Aspergillus sp. Pseudomonas sp. were recorded and in control pots Cladosporium sp, Aspergillus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp. were recorded. The spent mushroom substrate enhanced the soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available nitrogen and potassium in the soil which promoted the growth of plants.