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Abstract: The initial rate of mycelial colonisation of phase II substrate by Agaricus bisporus is dependent on the availability of water-soluble carbohydrates and amorphous residual hemicellulose, as well as on compost moisture content and temperature. This stage is followed by the utilisation of lignin–humus complex and one of the enzymes involved in the breakdown of phenolic fractions is laccase. The rate of mycelial colonisation is a good indicator of substrate quality, which is influenced by the degree of control during the microbial breakdown of wheat straw, resulting in a high degree of selectivity for A. bisporus. Major components of substrate are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin–humus complex, nitrogen and ash. This study was aimed at identifying a relationship between visible and near infra-red (Vis-NIR) spectra of substrates and rate of mycelial colonisation. Composts were prepared using laboratory-scale and mid-scale protocols with wheat straw cultivars and chicken manure, and the materials were analysed for a range of parameters. All samples were scanned for Vis-NIR (400–2498 nm) spectra, averaged, transformed and regressed against measured values for race tube assay for mycelial growth, fibre fractions as quantified by thermal analysis, nitrogen dry matter, C:N ratio, dry matter, carbohydrate, polyphenols, ash and minerals.
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