The effects of poultry manure based formulations on odor generation during Phase I mushroom composting

Bioreactors were designed and built to study the effects of Phase I mushroom compost formulation on odor production. Three different poultry manure levels: 0x, 1x and 2x [0%, 5.1%, and 11.0% dry weight basis, respectively] were used in compost formulations to determine if poultry manure influenced odor production. Air samples were collected for sensory odor measurements twice during the eight-day Phase I composting period (day one and day six) for three replicates. Phase I compost odors were quantified by a trained odor panel. Odor intensity and pleasantness ratings were significantly different on day one, however, neither, the intensity nor the pleasantness was significantly different on day six. The amount of poultry manure used in formulation had no significant effect on total mushroom yield.