Probiotic infused lignocellulosic soil amendment and growth medium

Abstract

Compositions for treating soil, in which spawn is fully integrated on a lignocellulosic substrate, wherein the spawn is of a lignin-digesting fungal species, and both the spawn and lignocellulosic substrate are desiccated so that the spawn is in a non-vegetative state and the composition has a water content less than about 5 wt %.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for treating soil, consisting essentially of spawn that is fully integrated on a lignocellulosic substrate, wherein said spawn is of a lignin-digesting fungal species, and both of said spawn and said lignocellulosic substrate are desiccated so that said spawn is in a non-vegetative state and said composition has a water content less than about 5 wt %. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said lignin-digesting fungal species produces a lignin peroxidase. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said lignin-digesting fungal species comprises a white rot fungal species. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a second species of fungal spawn that produces a soil nutrient, or a species of bacteria that produces a soil nutrient. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the second fugal species is selected from the group consisting of  Coriolus versicolor, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Daedalea quercina, Pycnoporus, cinnabarinus, Merulius tremellosus,  members of the  Pleurotus  fungal genus,  Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus oryzae, Trametes versicolor  and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the lignocellulose-containing organic matter comprises one or more lignocellulo sic materials selected from the group consisting of spent coffee grounds, paper, cardboard, food residuals, leaf matter, hay, straw and deciduous wood waste and residues from lumbering and manufacturing. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising up to about 25 wt % of said spawn of lignin-digesting fungal species. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, granules, a suspension, a dispersion, fibrous matter, a mixture, and combinations thereof.