Physical, chemical and fungal phenology associated with the composting of ‘wawa’ sawdust (Triplochiton scleroxylon) used in the cultivation of oyster mushrooms in Ghana

Abstract

The physical, chemical and fungal phenology during the composting of Triplochiton scleroxylon K.(Schum) sawdust was studied. Composting was carried out for 28 days. During the 28 days of composting the moisture content of the sawdust from the core portion of heap varied between 58.44 and 71.02%, whilst the pH ranged between 6.42 and 7.03. The dry weight of cellulose, hemicellulose, crude fibre and organic matter (% per unit) decreased as lignin increased. The microbial population also decreased during composting with a fungal population difference of 1.23 log cycles and bacterial population difference of 0.96 log cycles. The phenology of fungi encountered during composting and after fruiting were found to be Aspergillus species, Cladosporum herbarum, Penicillium digitatum and Trichoderma viride