P. F. White’s scientific contributions

In a tray-based mushroom crop, horse and chicken manure-based compost was covered with paper prior to pasteurization (filling), at spawning or at both of these times and the crop performance from these trays compared with an uncovered control. Over the 37 d cropping period a number of effects were apparent. The spawning and double cover treatments significantly delayed cropping. There was an increase in mushroom yield that was in proportion to the length of time the paper covers were on the compost. Consequently, there was an increase in overall crop value. It is suggested that these effects were due to a reduction in compost moisture loss, although elevated CO2 may have contributed to the observed increases in yield.