Published Instituto
Tecnológico Superior Corporativo Edwards Deming. Quito - Ecuador Periodicity April
- June Vol.
1, Num. 29, 2026 pp. 105-119 http://centrosuragraria.com/index.php/revista Dates of receipt Received: January 30, 2026 Approved: March 19, 2026 Correspondence author Creative Commons License Creative Commons License,
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Bioconversión de residuos
lignocelulósicos mediante el cultivo de Pleurotus eryngii y su potencial
como abono orgánico
Carol Daniela Coello-Loor 1
Orly Fernando Cevallos-Falquez 2
Juan Humberto Avellaneda-Cevallos 3
Aurelio David Zapatier-Santillan 4
Quevedo State Technical University, Faculty of Industrial and
Production Sciences. Quevedo, Ecuador.ccoello@uteq.edu.ec ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2810-6208 2 Quevedo State Technical University, Faculty of Animal and
Biological Sciences. Quevedo, Ecuador.fcevallos@uteq.edu.ec ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4137-7133 3 Quevedo State Technical University, Faculty of Animal and
Biological Sciences. Quevedo, Ecuador.javellaneda@uteq.edu.ec ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1805-4803 4 Quevedo State Technical University, Faculty of Animal and
Biological Sciences. Quevedo, Ecuador.aurelio.zapatier@uteq.edu.ec ; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3290-8016
Keywords: FMS, NPK, biodegradation, organic matter, depleted
substrate
Resumen: La evaluación del presente estudio demostró la capacidad
de bioconversión del hongo Pleurotus eryngii sobre tres residuos
lignocelulósicos (panca de maíz, paja de arroz y cáscara de maní) y su
potencial uso como de abono orgánico. Se empleó un diseño completamente al azar
con cuatro tratamientos, cuatro repeticiones y 2 unidades por repetición,
totalizando 32 unidades experimentales. Los tratamientos fueron: T1 (100% panca
de maíz + P. eryngii), T2 (100% paja de arroz + P. eryngii), T3
(100% cáscara de maní + P. eryngii) y T4 (mezcla 33,33% de cada residuo
+ P. eryngii). El proceso de FMS se realizó durante 45 días. Se
evaluaron las variables tasa de biodegradación, contenido de nitrógeno, fósforo
y potasio (NPK), materia orgánica y pH inicial y final. El estudio estadístico
se realizó mediante ANOVA y prueba de Tukey (p ≤ 0,05). Los resultados revelan que el T1 presenta la mayor tasa de
biodegradación (45,25%) y los contenidos más altos de nitrógeno (0,50%),
fósforo (0,10%) y potasio (0,75%). Por el contrario, los valores de N y P no
alcanzaron los mínimos establecidos para abonos orgánicos de calidad (1% N y
0,15% P), esto debido a que el tiempo de bioconversión fue de 45 días. El T3
registró el mayor contenido de materia orgánica (39%). El pH final osciló entre
6,51 y 7,31, dentro del rango óptimo para aplicación agrícola. Se concluye que P.
eryngii es efectivo para biodegradar residuos agrícolas, aunque se requiere
mayor tiempo de Fermentación en medio sólido o complementación con otros
residuos para obtener un biofertilizante óptimo.
Palabras clave: FMS, NPK, biodegradación, materia orgánica, sustrato
agotado
Introduction
The generation of agricultural
waste constitutes one of the main environmental challenges of the 21st century,
particularly in countries with economies based on the primary sector. In
Ecuador, agricultural production generates approximately 15 million tons of
crop residues annually. Their final disposal through on-site burning (at
the source) or accumulation in landfills results in nutrient losses of 98 to
100% of nitrogen and 20 to 40% of phosphorus and potassium. this poor practice
contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the deterioration of air quality
Within this framework and
given the circumstances, white-rot basidiomycete fungi of the genus Pleurotus
have emerged as biotechnological tools with high potential for the
biodegradation of lignocellulosic substrates. These microorganisms possess an
enzymatic complex capable of depolymerizing cellulose, hemicellulose, and
lignin through the production of laccases, manganese peroxidase, lignin
peroxidase, and cellulases, among other extracellular enzymes (Galazka et al.,
2025). In particular, Pleurotus eryngii, commercially known as the king
oyster mushroom, stands out for its metabolic adaptability; it has development
potential on various lignocellulosic substrates and produces fruiting bodies
with high nutritional and medicinal value (Zotti et al., 2025).
The biodegradation of
agricultural waste using P. eryngii represents an opportunity with a
dual benefit: on the one hand, it reduces the environmental burden resulting
from improper waste disposal, and on the other, it generates a byproduct rich
in organic matter and mineral nutrients that can be used as a biofertilizer or
organic/mineral soil amendment. Recent research has shown that P. eryngii can
achieve a biological conversion rate exceeding 60% in alternative substrates
such as lavender waste and poplar sawdust, with protein contents in the
fruiting bodies ranging from 200 to 260 g/kg (Zotti et al., 2025). Likewise,
comparative proteomics studies have revealed that P. eryngii secretes
distinct enzymatic profiles depending on substrate composition, with a
predominance of laccases and manganese peroxidase in residues with high lignin
content, which explains its adaptive capacity to degrade various
lignocellulosic materials
Corn stalks (Zea mays L.),
rice straw (Oryza sativa L.), and peanut shells (Arachis hypogaea L.)
are three of the most abundant agricultural residues in the Ecuadorian coastal
region. These materials have a variable lignocellulosic composition, with
cellulose contents ranging from 23–45%, hemicellulose from 23–30%, and lignin
from 5–33%, making them potentially suitable substrates for the growth of
lignin-degrading fungi
Despite growing interest in
the biotechnology of Pleurotus spp., there are limitations in the
scientific literature regarding the systematic evaluation of different tropical
lignocellulosic wastes as substrates for P. eryngii, as well as in the
nutritional characterization of the resulting biodegraded material for its use
as a biofertilizer. Most studies have focused on the cultivation of P.
eryngii under humid tropical conditions using residues characteristic of
the Neotropical region.
For the reasons mentioned
above, the present study aimed to evaluate the bioconversion capacity of Pleurotus
eryngii on three crop residues (corn stalks, rice straw, and peanut shells)
and their mixture, for the production of organic fertilizers in the Mocache
area, Los Ríos, Ecuador. Specifically, the levels of primary macronutrients
(NPK), the biodegradation rate, the organic matter content, and the pH of the
biodegraded substrate were determined to establish the technical feasibility of
this alternative for the sustainable management of agricultural waste in humid
tropical environments and its potential use as organic fertilizer.
Methodology
The study was conducted at the
Microbiology Laboratory on the “La María” campus of the Quevedo State Technical
University (UTEQ).
Biological
Material.
The Pleurotus eryngii strain
(K15) from the FOCICYT-UTEQ-PFOC6-47-2018 Project, obtained from the
Microbiology Laboratory of the Quevedo State Technical University (UTEQ), was
used. The strain was maintained in PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) culture medium,
composed of potato extract (200 g/L), dextrose (20 g/L), and agar (15 g/L), pH
6.0, and incubated at a temperature of 25°C. In addition, subcultures were
performed every 7 days to maintain the viability and purity of the inoculum.
Three types of crop residues
were analyzed: corn stalks (Zea mays L.), rice straw (Oryza sativa
L.), and peanut shells (Arachis hypoganea L.). The residues were
collected in the catchment area of the Mocache canton. Subsequently, they were
washed with potable water to remove any impurities and left to dry at room
temperature.
Once dry, the residues were
mechanically crushed into fragments of approximately 3 to 5 cm in size to
increase the contact area and promote fungal colonization, following the
methodology proposed by
Corn kernels (Zea mays L.) were
used as the inoculation substrate for propagating the inoculum. The kernels
were washed with running water and then soaked in distilled water for 24 hours.
They were then drained and distributed into polypropylene bags (250 g per bag).
The material was sterilized in
an autoclave at 121°C for 30 minutes. After cooling, inoculation was performed
with Pleurotus eryngii K15 mycelium, obtained from Petri dishes
containing PDA medium, placing approximately 6 pieces of 3-cm mycelium per bag.
Subsequently, the bags were incubated at a temperature of 25°C for a period of
10 to 15 days, until complete colonization of the grain was achieved
“A completely randomized
design (CRD) consisting of four treatments and four replicates was implemented,
resulting in a total of 32 experimental units”
T1: 100% corn cobs + P.
eryngii
T2: 100% rice straw + P.
eryngii
T3: 100% peanut shells
+ P. eryngii
T4: Mixture of 33.33%
corn stalks + 33.33% rice straw + 33.33% peanut shells + P. eryngii
Inoculation was carried out by
adding 50 g of corn seed colonized by Pleurotus eryngii per kilogram of
dry substrate. Subsequently, the bags were sealed, properly labeled, and placed
in incubation at a temperature of 25°C in the dark during the colonization
phase, which lasted 25 days.
Once the mycelium had
completely colonized the substrate, fruiting was induced by exposure to
artificial light under a photoperiod of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of
darkness, while maintaining the ambient temperature. The total cultivation
cycle lasted 45 days, after which the biodegraded substrate was harvested for
subsequent analysis.
Table1 . Distribution
of treatments and experimental units.
|
Treatments |
Replicates |
No. of samples/replication |
No. of samples/treatment |
|
T1 (100% corn silage
+
Pleurotus eryngii) |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
T2 ( 100% rice straw + Pleurotus eryngii) |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
T3 (100% peanut
shells +
Pleurotus eryngii) |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
T4 (33.33% peanut shells + 33.33% rice straw + 33.33% corn cobs + Pleurotus
eryngii) |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
Total |
|
|
32 |
It was determined using the
following formula:
BR
Where:
Initial dry weight: corresponds to the
weight of the substrate prior to inoculation (1000 g)
Final dry weight: corresponds to the
weight of the substrate after 45 days of biodegradation, determined after
drying in an oven at 60°C until a constant weight is reached.
From each experimental unit,
200 g of biodegraded substrate were collected per treatment; subsequently, the
samples were homogenized to obtain a composite sample of 1000 g per treatment.
The content of total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and exchangeable
potassium (K) was analyzed at the Soil Laboratory of the National Institute of
Agricultural Research (INIAP), following the methods described by
Organic matter was determined
using the loss-on-ignition method, employing a 10-g sample of dry substrate, at
550 °C for 4 hours in a muffle
To determine the pH, a 1:5
(w/v) suspension was prepared by mixing 10 g of dry substrate with 50 mL of
distilled water and stirring the mixture for 30 minutes. The measurement was
performed using a digital potentiometer previously calibrated with pH 4.0 and
7.0 standard solutions
The data obtained were
subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) corresponding to a completely
randomized design. When significant differences were detected (p ≤ 0.05),
Tukey’s multiple range test was applied. Statistical processing was performed
using the software InfoStat version 2020
During the research involving
the P. eryngii strain, biosafety standards corresponding to Level 1
(BSL-1) were applied. These measures included the mandatory use of lab coats,
latex gloves, and face masks, as well as the handling of cultures within a
laminar flow hood. Furthermore, all waste generated in the laboratory was
autoclaved prior to final disposal.
Results
Statistical analysis of the
data revealed significant differences among the treatments analyzed (p ≤ 0.05).
Treatment T1, consisting solely of corn stalks inoculated with Pleurotus
eryngii, exhibited the highest level of biodegradation, with a value of
45.25%. In contrast, treatment T3, corresponding to peanut shells, recorded the
lowest percentage, at 33.65%. Meanwhile, treatments T2 (rice straw) and T4
(waste mixture) achieved intermediate values of 40.20% and 38.64%, respectively
(Table 1). The experimental variation was very low, reflected in a coefficient
of variation of only 0.46%.
Table2 . Analysis of variance for the
biodegradation rate.
|
Source of variation |
GL |
SC |
CM |
F |
p |
|
Treatment
|
3 |
274.22 |
91.41 |
10.50 |
0.0001 |
|
Error
|
12 |
0.04 |
0.003 |
|
|
|
Total
|
15 |
274.27 |
|
|
|
CV = 0.46%. DF: degrees of
freedom; SS: sum of squares; MS: mean square.
Table3 . Tukey’s
significance test for the biodegradation rate.
|
Treatment |
Mean
(%) |
Group
|
|
T1 |
45.25 |
to |
|
Q2 |
40.20 |
b |
|
T3 |
38.64 |
c |
|
T4 |
33.65 |
d |
CV: 0.46%. Means with
different letters indicate significant differences (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
These values
were lower than those reported in recent studies with other Pleurotus
species. Romero-Carcía et al. (2023) achieved biological efficiencies exceeding
60% in wheat straw substrates with P. eryngii, attributing the
variability to differences in the substrate’s lignocellulosic composition and
the strain’s specific enzymatic activity.
The lower
biodegradability of peanut shells (T3) may be associated with their higher
lignin content (27–33%), which hinders the action of the oxidative enzymes
secreted by the fungus
Statistical
analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in organic matter concentration
among the tested formulations (p ≤ 0.05). Contrary to what was observed in the
biodegradation rate, treatment T3 (peanut shells) recorded the highest organic
matter content (39.00%), while treatment T1 (corn cobs) had the lowest value
(35.00%). Treatments T2 (rice straw) and T4 (mixture) showed intermediate
values of 37.00% and 38.00%, respectively (Table 5). Data dispersion was
minimal (CV = 2.19%).
Table4 . Percentage
of organic matter by treatment. Tukey’s
test (p ≤ 0.05).
|
Treatment |
Organic matter
(%) |
Group |
|
T3 (Peanut shells) |
39.00 |
to |
|
T4 (Mixture) |
38.00 |
ab |
|
T2 (Rice Straw) |
37.00 |
b |
|
T1 (Corn stalks) |
35.00 |
c |
CV: 2.19%.
Means with different letters indicate significant differences (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
This result, which appears to
contradict the biodegradation rate, can be explained by the fact that peanut
shells have a higher initial content of lignin and recalcitrant compounds that
are partially degraded but not completely mineralized, thereby maintaining
their organic structure
Analysis of variance applied
to the pH values revealed statistically significant differences among the four
experimental treatments (p ≤ 0.05). The multiple comparison of means using
Tukey’s test is presented in Table 6.
Table5 . Initial and final pH values by
treatment. Tukey’s
test (p ≤ 0.05).
|
Treatment
|
Initial
pH |
Final
pH |
|
T1
(Corn silage) |
6.94
± b |
6.83
± b |
|
T2 |
7.40
± c |
7.24
± c |
|
T3
(Peanut shells) |
6.63
± a |
6.51
± a |
|
T4
(Mixture) |
7.48
± d |
7.31
± d |
|
C.V.
(%) |
0.28 |
0.13 |
The maximum alkalinity,
recorded at both the beginning and end of the experiment, corresponded to
treatment 4 (7.48 and 7.31, respectively). In contrast, the most pronounced
acidity was observed in treatment 1, with readings of 6.94 (initial) and 6.83
(final).
These measurements fall within
the range reported by various authors. Bejarano (2018), in his research,
quantified a pH of 5.86 in lignocellulosic sugarcane residues subjected to
biodegradation for three months. For their part, García et al. (2014) determined
an alkalinity of 7.15 in compost formulated with mushroom production waste.
Fontalvo et al. (2013) note that relative neutrality (pH 6.0–8.0) constitutes a
favorable condition for the mobilization of mineral nitrogen and the expansion
of the root system, while acidic (<5.5) or basic (>8.5) extremes generate
nutritional deficiencies due to the insolubilization of essential elements.
Analysis of
the primary macronutrients revealed statistically significant differences
between treatments (p ≤ 0.05). Total nitrogen content showed significant variation, with
values ranging from 0.30% in T2 to 0.50% in T1. Available phosphorus showed a
similar pattern, with minimum concentrations in T2 (0.08%) and maximum
concentrations in T1 (0.10%). For exchangeable potassium, treatment T1 had
0.75%, while T3 recorded the lowest value (0.62).
Table6 . Tukey’s
significance test for primary macronutrients (NPK).
|
Treatments |
Nitrogen (N) |
Phosphorus (P) |
Potassium (K) |
|
||
|
T1 |
0.50 |
to |
0.10 |
a |
0.75 |
to |
|
Q2 |
0.30 |
b |
0.08 |
b |
0.66 |
c |
|
T3 |
0.40 |
Aab |
0.09 |
ab |
0.62 |
d |
|
T4 |
0.40 |
aab |
0.09 |
ab |
0.70 |
b |
|
C.V (%) |
14.51 |
|
9.42 |
|
1.58 |
|
The content of primary
macronutrients (NPK) showed significant variation among treatments. The highest
values were recorded in treatment T1 (corn silage), with 0.50% nitrogen, 0.10%
phosphorus, and 0.75% potassium. In contrast, treatment T2 (rice straw) had the
lowest concentrations of nitrogen (0.30%) and phosphorus (0.08%). Regarding
potassium, treatment T3 (peanut shells) had the lowest value (0.62%).
These results were lower than
those reported in previous studies using other types of waste and Pleurotus
species. García et al. (2014) obtained higher values in compost made from spent
mushroom substrate (1.05% N, 0.85% P, 1.35% K), while Bermúdez et al. (2019)
found 3.39% nitrogen, 0.16% phosphorus, and 1.74% potassium in coffee pulp
biodegraded by P. ostreatus. This difference can be explained by the
biodegradation time, as recent studies indicate that nutrient mineralization is
influenced by microbial activity, moisture content, ambient temperature, and
the chemical nature of the materials used
However, the potassium content
(0.62–0.75%) is competitive with values reported in recent literature. ( found that spent P.
ostreatus substrate applied at rates of 12.5–25 t/ha improved the yield of
baby leaf lettuce, despite having moderate NPK contents, attributing this
effect to improved soil structure and the gradual release of nutrients.
Biodegradation
Rate.
The results obtained in this
study reveal that the treatment with corn husks (dry or fresh leaves
surrounding the corn cob) + P. eryngii achieved the highest
biodegradation rate (45.25%), followed by rice straw (40.20%), the waste
mixture (38.64%), and finally the peanut husk (33.65%). Although these values
differ significantly from one another, they are lower than those reported in
recent studies involving other species of the genus Pleurotus and
different lignocellulosic substrates.
Romero et al. (2018) reported
a biodegradation rate of 70% in wheat straw with P. ostreatus, while
Romero-Arenas et al. (2010) achieved 60.56% in corn residues with the same
species. This difference can be attributed to several factors: (1) the species
used (P. eryngii vs. P. ostreatus), since different white rot fungus
species possess distinct enzymatic capabilities for degrading lignocellulose
Recent research has shown that
the biodegradation efficiency of white rot fungi is closely related to the
activity of ligninolytic enzymes (laccases, manganese peroxidase, and lignin
peroxidase), whose production varies depending on the fungal species and
substrate conditions
The lower biodegradation value
in peanut shells (33.65%) can be explained by their high lignin content
(27–33%) and their more compact physical structure, which hinders mycelial
colonization and enzymatic access to the cellulosic components. This is consistent
with the findings of Kunapuli et al. (2025), who note that highly lignified
substrates require longer processing times or physicochemical pretreatments to
optimize fungal degradation.
The NPK analysis revealed that
the corn stover treatment had the highest values: 0.50% N, 0.10% P, 0.75% K.
However, these values do not meet the minimum standards established for
high-quality organic fertilizers, which, according to Soto & Meléndez (2004)
and reaffirmed by current research, must contain >1% N and >0.15% P
This nutritional limitation is
consistent with recent findings. For example, a 2025 study on spent substrates
from Pleurotus spp. reported total nitrogen contents of just 0.7% in
cotton hull substrate, a value similar to that obtained in the results
(Bonis et al., 2025) . Likewise, Kunapuli et al.
(2025) found that spent Pleurotus spp. substrate derived from cotton
hulls had nitrogen contents ranging from 6.72 to 8.47 g/kg (0.67–0.85%), with a
C:N (carbon-to-nitrogen) ratio of 35–40. These values are comparable to the
results obtained, and it is suggested that the low nitrogen content is an
intrinsic characteristic of Pleurotus cultivation residues when they are
not enriched with additional nitrogen sources.
The potassium content (0.75%)
is competitive with values reported in recent literature. For example, the
spent P. ostreatus substrate analyzed by
(Bonis et al., 2025) contained
2.59 g/kg K (0.26%), a lower value than that obtained in our findings. This
suggests that corn stover is an excellent natural source of potassium that
remains available after the fungal biodegradation process.
Nutrient mineralization during
biodegradation is controlled by microbial abundance, moisture, the quality of
the incorporated materials, and, fundamentally, the composting time
The organic matter content
varied significantly among treatments, with peanut shells having the highest
value (39.005%), followed by the mixture (38.00%), rice straw (37.00%), and
corn stover (35.00%). These values far exceed the 30% threshold recommended by
Herrera-Gamboa, J. (2018), positioning all treatments as suitable materials for
use as organic amendments.
However, the decrease in
organic matter observed in the corn cob treatment (35%)—paradoxically, the
highest rate of biodegradation—can be explained by the fungus’s higher
metabolic activity in this substrate. García & Bermúdez (2021) note that
the substrate biodegradation process results in a slight decrease in organic
matter content due to the fungus’s growth and fruiting, as well as the release
of CO2 during the decomposition of cellulosic components via exoenzymes.
Regarding pH, the values
obtained (6.51–7.48) fall within the optimal range for most agricultural crops
(6.0–8.0), as reported by Fontalvo et al. (2013) and confirmed by Kunapuli et
al. (2025). Treatment with corn stover showed the lowest initial and final pH
values (6.94 and 6.83), which is favorable since values close to neutrality
promote nitrogen mineralization and nutrient availability for plants
(Bonis et al., 2025) .
Bejarano (2018) obtained
similar values (pH 5.86–5.91) in sugarcane bagasse substrate biodegraded by P.
ostreatus at 90 days, demonstrating that the pH tends to acidify slightly
during the fungal process.
The results obtained have
important implications for the sustainable management of agricultural waste in
the Mocache area, Los Ríos, Ecuador. Although the NPK values do not meet the
standards of commercial organic fertilizers, the biodegraded substrate exhibits
valuable physical and microbiological characteristics: high organic matter
content (>35%), favorable pH, and an improved structure that promotes
moisture retention and soil aeration
Studies have shown that spent Pleurotus
spp. substrate, even with moderate NPK content, significantly improves
plant growth when used in soil mixtures. For example, the study by
(Bonis et al., 2025) showed that spent P.
ostreatus substrate applied at 12.5–25 t/ha improved baby leaf lettuce
yield and soil fertility, despite requiring nitrogen supplementation for short
growing cycles. Similarly, Kunapuli et
al. (2025) reported that mixtures of 75% spent substrate + 25% soil promoted
greater growth of Centella asiatica, attributing this effect to improved
soil structure and the gradual release of nutrients.
The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio
of the biodegraded substrates in the study (approximately 35–40, estimated
based on organic matter and nitrogen content) is higher than the optimal range
for mature compost (15–20), indicating that the material has not yet reached
its full potential as a fertilizer. Co-composting of spent P. ostreatus
substrate with pig manure demonstrated that the addition of nitrogen sources
accelerates maturation and significantly improves total nutrient content,
meeting quality standards for organic fertilizers
Conclusions
The cultivation of the
Pleurotus eryngii mushroom demonstrated a significant impact on the
biodegradation of crop residues, with corn stover being the substrate with the
highest biodegradation rate (45.25%), followed by rice straw (40.20%), the
waste mixture (38.64%), and peanut shells (33.65%). Despite this, these values
are lower than those reported for other Pleurotus species and different
substrates, suggesting that P. eryngii has a lower degradation capacity
compared to the more extensively studied strains of P. ostreatus.
The incorporation of primary macronutrients
(NPK) into the biodegraded substrates did not reach the minimum levels
established for quality organic fertilizers (1% N and 0.15% P), with maximum
values of 0.50% N, 0.10% P, and 0.75% K recorded in the corn stalk treatment.
These results indicate that the 45-day period is insufficient to achieve the
chemical maturity required for organic fertilizers, considering that the
nitrogen and phosphorus values obtained did not meet the minimum standards
established for quality fertilizers.
The organic matter analysis
showed that all evaluated treatments exceeded the 30% threshold recommended for
organic amendments. Among them, peanut shells had the highest content (39.00%)
despite their lower biodegradability. This result indicates that residues with
high lignification content retain their organic structure even when fungal
degradation is limited, making them potentially useful materials for improving
soil physical properties.
Regarding pH, the values
obtained ranged from 6.51 to 7.48, falling within the optimal range for
nutrient availability and root development (6.0–8.0), with corn stalks
exhibiting values closest to neutrality (6.83–6.94), which presents favorable
conditions for nitrogen mineralization processes.
This research proposes a
viable alternative for the sustainable management of agricultural residues in
the Mocache area, Los Ríos, Ecuador; however, it is recommended to extend the
biodegradation period, evaluate the impact of the degraded substrate on crops
under field conditions, and consider nitrogen supplementation to improve the
nutritional quality of the final product.
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