Fungus in compost making
Fungus is a part of the Eukaryotic group of living microorganisms which are some of the most widespread on earth. Commonly when we think of fungi we think of mushrooms but they also come under the category of molds and yeasts.
Fungi produce food by secreting digesting enzymes into their environment. Most of the time most of the living fungi is invisible except fine strand like molds spreading through matter ( Mycellium ) which helps fungi to break down organic matter. Most of the time fungus blooms in the form of mushrooms are only the tip of the iceberg with most of the organism spreading over a large area. Mushrooms act as flowers to the main body of the mycelium spreading spores the (seeds) of that particular fungus to conquer new territory.
Fungi produce food by secreting digesting enzymes into their environment. Most of the time most of the living fungi is invisible except fine strand like molds spreading through matter ( Mycellium ) which helps fungi to break down organic matter. Most of the time fungus blooms in the form of mushrooms are only the tip of the iceberg with most of the organism spreading over a large area. Mushrooms act as flowers to the main body of the mycelium spreading spores the (seeds) of that particular fungus to conquer new territory.
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Fungus is vital to the creation of good quality compost with a single compost heap containing Thousands of differing types. Fungi are quite simply amazing in the variety of structures they break down, there is a type of fungi that can break down jet fuel and there is ongoing research into the ability of different strains of fungi to break down household waste including plastics. Although you are unlikely to find plastics or even jet fuel in your compost the benefits of fungi in good composting are essential as one of nature’s most effective decomposers.
The white thread like mycelium in compost indicates the breaking down of woodier course structures within the compost making process. Woodier structures can commonly be lacking in the formation of good compost with many gardeners adding too much nitrogen based elements resulting in more of a fowl smelling sludge.
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It is always beneficial to chip any bulky pieces of woody material to accelerate the composting process of carbon in compost but the presence of fungi will allow woody materials to be broken into smaller particles to aid the composting process.
It is important to remember that fungi are not alone in the process of compost making it is the combination of fungi, bacteria, invertebrates, and insects which also help to shred down and aerate the particles to produce good quality compost. In order for fungi to play its part in composting a healthy local ecosystem can be the determining factor in maximising the fungi within your compost. This is why it is always recommended to add good quality compost to the compost making process as it is very possible a good mix of beneficial micro organism are already present in the added compost.
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Most of the time there is no great way to boost beneficial fungi to your compost bin or pile. The spores of fungus are quite literally everywhere with correct materials and conditions allowing beneficial fungi in your compost thrive. As well as an existing healthy local soil fungi will find its own way to your compost but you can go one step further such as adding fungi bought as mixtures you can add to the compost such as Root Grow and there are many compost activators on the market today.
