Effect of preliminary bioconversion of wheat straw on plant productivity in a model nature-like system
Authors:   Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat, Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnologies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Zyubanova T. I. , Minaeva O. M. ,   Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat, Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnologies, Russian Academy of Sciences,   Tomsk State University, Akimova E. E. ,   Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat, Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnologies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Daibova E. B. ,   Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat, Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnologies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tereshchenko N. N. ,   Tomsk State University,   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics
Published: October 2024

Studies focused on maintaining high productivity and stability of artificial ecosystems that reproduce the processes of natural cenoses are relevant and interesting. It seems to be effective to include decomposers, detritivores and vegetative waste in model systems aimed at obtaining products. The use of earthworms as detritivores is promising because they utilize the organic matter as well as enrich the substrates with microflora including those with antagonistic and growth-stimulating activities. The aim of this study was to assess the prospects of preliminary bioconversion of wheat straw by basidiomycetes (Lentinus tigrinus and Pleurotus ostreatus) to increase the productivity of lettuce plants. The work was carried out in laboratory conditions with model systems consisting of a substrate (peat, cattle manure and wheat straw with and without bioconversion), earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa cultivar Credo). The leaf area, the weight of each plant (wet and dry), the productivity of lettuce plants, and the content of the main biogenic elements in the plant tissue and substrate were evaluated. The number and weight of adult worms at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, and the number of juvenile worms at the end of the experiment, the number of cocoons, as well as coprolite weight and yield were considered. A significant phytotoxic effect when straw was added into the substrate was found. The addition of straw processed by basidiomycetes (10%) in the substrate had a favorable effect on the earthworm population. Growing lettuce on substrates with bioconverted straw and with the earthworm introduction increases the content of major macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in plants. The introduction of earthworms contributed to a significant decrease in the phytotoxicity of substrates. Thus, it is possible to recommend the inclusion of fungiculture wastes (such as substrates after fruiting bodies obtaining) in green crop production systems together with the introduction of earthworms into substrates.