EFFECT OF SPENT MUSHROOM SUBSTRATE ADMIXED WITH TOP SOIL ON THE GROWTH AND HERBAGE YIELD OF AMARANTH (Amaranthus hybridus)

An explorative study on the effectiveness of incorporating spent mushroom substrate (SMS) admixed with topsoil on the growth and herbage yield of Amaranth was conducted at the screen house of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Nigeria. The study involved five application rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 g) of SMS per 3 kg topsoil laid out in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. Data were collected on the physical and chemical properties of topsoil admixed with SMS. Data were also collected on growth parameters (plant height, stem girth, leaf area, and number of leaves), and dry herbage yield. Results indicated substantial improvements in soil fertility with SMS incorporation. Treatments with SMS demonstrated taller plants, thicker stems, higher number of leaves, increased leaf area, and higher herbage yields compared to the control (topsoil only). Herbage yield was highest with SMS applied at 150 g (11.1 tha -1) but at par with other SMS treated media except topsoil only media. Based on these findings, topsoil treated with SMS at 50 g is thereby suggested for urban Amaranth growers.