Abstract

The mineralisation and the humification of organic matter (OM) in sterile horticultural plant wastes inoculated with Coriolus versicolor or Phanerochaete flavido-alba was investigated under different aeration rates in order to determine their efficacy as potential inoculants for composting. The change in elemental composition, lignin content and OM fractions was analysed during a 90-day incubation. Both fungi degraded 30% of lignin at low aeration rates. Different aeration rates led to significant changes in OM mineralisation induced by C. versicolor, but did not have noticeable effect on P. flavido-alba activity. The mineralisation was more effectively carried out by P. flavido-alba than by C. versicolor. Lignin degradation and the linked humification process were equally achieved by the two fungi and were enhanced in aerated conditions. The fungi analysed may facilitate the composting of lignocellulosic wastes by means of an increase in substrate bioavailability and OM humification.