Application of Spent Sun Mushroom Substrate in Substitution of Synthetic Fertilizers at Maize Topdressing
, Cinthia Elen Cardoso Caitano 1, Samuel Ferrari 2, Wagner Gonçalves Vieira Júnior 1, Reges Heinrichs 2, Bruno Rafael de Almeida Moreira 3, Arturo Pardo-Giménez 4 and Diego Cunha Zied 2,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1. The topic covered too much content, and only 70 days were actually observed.
2. There was no observation of the whole growth period, no evaluation of maize yield, and no inter-annual repeated verification results, which had limited significance for guiding maize production.
Author Response
Reviewer 1- Comments and Suggestions for Authors
- The topic covered too much content, and only 70 days were actually observed.
- There was no observation of the whole growth period, no evaluation of maize yield, and no inter-annual repeated verification results, which had limited significance for guiding maize production.
Answer: We were grateful for the comments on this manuscript. Studies evaluating shoots and roots in the initial phase of maize are relevant to increase productivity in managements adopted under field conditions. (https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13613, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2022.108462). Unfortunately, it would not be possible to assess maize productivity because the pot capacity was only 6.5 dm³. We emphasize that research using organic fertilizers (as in the case of our work) in the initial maize growth in pots is routinely published and discussed in journals (including Agronomy) (https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2019.1610168, https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9080473, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-019-00079-y, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.101329 ). We also emphasize that this work is extremely important as a step prior to the field experiment, as pointed out by the other two reviewers.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The article is very interesting, well structured, with reasons for choosing the composite type and culture to be used in the study. The design established and the parameters evaluated allowed a detailed evaluation of the effects of treatments on soil and corn with adequate discussion and literature review.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Reviewer 2- Comments and Suggestions for Authors
The article is very interesting, well structured, with reasons for choosing the composite type and culture to be used in the study. The design established and the parameters evaluated allowed a detailed evaluation of the effects of treatments on soil and corn with adequate discussion and literature review.
Answer: The authors are grateful for the comments on this manuscript and for all the Reviewer’s comments and suggestions.
Line 73- Indicate the nutritional requirements of maize for reference production
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification (maize nutritionally requirement and the order of the nutrients requires) was made in the revised manuscript.
Line 86- Indicate the average temperatures at the test site.
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Line 87- Suggestion: 2.2. Experimental design
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Line 98- Indicate the characteristics of the limestone and the quantity applied
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Line 149- to be deleted, is repeated
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Lines 177, 192, 202- Change to the correct order.
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Lines 220- adjust the text
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Figure 4. Replace pH by one symbol and EC by columns (doesn’t represent the evolution of a treatment over time).
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
I rate the research topic undertaken by the authors very highly. Replacing mineral fertilizers with waste organic materials not only reduces fertilization costs, but also waste management. The waste organic materials include, among others, the used substrate after mushroom cultivation. It is not only a source of nutrients for plants, but also has a positive effect on soil properties.
However, after reading the manuscripts in depth, I had some doubts and remarks, which I present below:
1. I propose to change the title of the manuscript to "Use mushroom substrate in the fertilization of maize (Zea mays)
2. Abstract
Please do not use abbreviations in the summary.
Line 28-29 potassium chloride top dressing?
3. Keywords:
Please skip potassium chloride (line 31)
4. Introduction
Please pay more attention to the chemical composition of mushroom substrate.
Please specify the research hypothesis (lines 76-78).
5. Materials and Methods
This section of the nanuscript requires extensive editing.
2.3. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and experimental soil (line 99), 2.3. Experimental design (line 1490, 2.3 Biometric parameters (line 177), 2.3 Soil and leaf characteristics (line 192), 2.3 Statical analysis (line 202) - sub-section numbers duplicated
Lines 150-168 are a repetition of lines 100-188
Lines 169-176 are a repetition of lines 141-148
Row 196-The authors report that soil pH was determined in water, while in Table S1 that in calcium chloride. Please explain this and correct it in the manuscript text.
6. Results
Please do not use abbreviations in the description of the results. This makes the text difficult to understand for the reader. Eg line 212-216
7. References
Items 8, 36, 56, 59, 64 should be replaced with literature from recent years
Author Response
Reviewer 3- Comments and Suggestions for Authors
I rate the research topic undertaken by the authors very highly. Replacing mineral fertilizers with waste organic materials not only reduces fertilization costs, but also waste management. The waste organic materials include, among others, the used substrate after mushroom cultivation. It is not only a source of nutrients for plants, but also has a positive effect on soil properties.
Answer: The authors are grateful for the comments on this manuscript and for all the Reviewer’s comments and suggestions, which were considered and certainly improved this new version of the manuscript.
However, after reading the manuscripts in depth, I had some doubts and remarks, which I present below:
- I propose to change the title of the manuscript to "Use mushroom substrate in the fertilization of maize (Zea mays)
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript. We suggest the term “spent mushroom substrates” because it is a mushroom post -harvest residue.
- Abstract
Please do not use abbreviations in the summary.
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Line 28-29 potassium chloride top dressing?
Answer: We eliminate the term potassium chloride and we suggest the term top dressing fertilization, only.
- Keywords:
Please skip potassium chloride (line 31)
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
- Introduction
Please pay more attention to the chemical composition of mushroom substrate.
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Please specify the research hypothesis (lines 76-78).
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
- Materials and Methods
This section of the nanuscript requires extensive editing.
2.3. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and experimental soil (line 99), 2.3. Experimental design (line 1490, 2.3 Biometric parameters (line 177), 2.3 Soil and leaf characteristics (line 192), 2.3 Statical analysis (line 202) - sub-section numbers duplicated
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Lines 150-168 are a repetition of lines 100-188
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Lines 169-176 are a repetition of lines 141-148
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Row 196-The authors report that soil pH was determined in water, while in Table S1 that in calcium chloride. Please explain this and correct it in the manuscript text.
Answer: The authors are very grateful for the observation of the reviewer. A mistake occurred, and the pH determined in the water was replaced by calcium chloride. The modification mentioned was made and added to the revised manuscript.
- Results
Please do not use abbreviations in the description of the results. This makes the text difficult to understand for the reader. Eg line 212-216
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
- References
Items 8, 36, 56, 59, 64 should be replaced with literature from recent years
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Reviewer 3- Comments and Suggestions for Authors
I rate the research topic undertaken by the authors very highly. Replacing mineral fertilizers with waste organic materials not only reduces fertilization costs, but also waste management. The waste organic materials include, among others, the used substrate after mushroom cultivation. It is not only a source of nutrients for plants, but also has a positive effect on soil properties.
Answer: The authors are grateful for the comments on this manuscript and for all the Reviewer’s comments and suggestions, which were considered and certainly improved this new version of the manuscript.
However, after reading the manuscripts in depth, I had some doubts and remarks, which I present below:
- I propose to change the title of the manuscript to "Use mushroom substrate in the fertilization of maize (Zea mays)
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript. We suggest the term “spent mushroom substrates” because it is a mushroom post -harvest residue.
- Abstract
Please do not use abbreviations in the summary.
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Line 28-29 potassium chloride top dressing?
Answer: We eliminate the term potassium chloride and we suggest the term top dressing fertilization, only.
- Keywords:
Please skip potassium chloride (line 31)
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
- Introduction
Please pay more attention to the chemical composition of mushroom substrate.
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Please specify the research hypothesis (lines 76-78).
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
- Materials and Methods
This section of the nanuscript requires extensive editing.
2.3. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and experimental soil (line 99), 2.3. Experimental design (line 1490, 2.3 Biometric parameters (line 177), 2.3 Soil and leaf characteristics (line 192), 2.3 Statical analysis (line 202) - sub-section numbers duplicated
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Lines 150-168 are a repetition of lines 100-188
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Lines 169-176 are a repetition of lines 141-148
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Row 196-The authors report that soil pH was determined in water, while in Table S1 that in calcium chloride. Please explain this and correct it in the manuscript text.
Answer: The authors are very grateful for the observation of the reviewer. A mistake occurred, and the pH determined in the water was replaced by calcium chloride. The modification mentioned was made and added to the revised manuscript.
- Results
Please do not use abbreviations in the description of the results. This makes the text difficult to understand for the reader. Eg line 212-216
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
- References
Items 8, 36, 56, 59, 64 should be replaced with literature from recent years
Answer: As requested by the Reviewer, the mentioned modification was made in the revised manuscript.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
I still stand by my opinion:
1. The topic covered too much content, and only 70 days were actually observed.
2. There was no observation of the whole growth period, no evaluation of maize yield, and no inter-annual repeated verification results, which had limited significance for guiding maize production.
I still stand by my opinion:
The results of the 70-day study, with the limited pot capacity of 6.5 dm³, Just as the other two reviewers think that "this work is extremely important as a step prior to the field experiment", I also admit the importance of this work, but from the scientific point of view, this is just a pre-experiment. It can be done with larger pot/containers, or continue to carry out field experiments to complete the whole growth period of monitoring, only 70 days of observation is not scientific enough.
Author Response
For this scope of work, we highlight the importance of SMS due the characterization of the waste application under controlled environmental conditions, including using deionized water for irrigation, which allows us to have greater reliability over plant nutrition and less influence of external variables on corn growth. The preliminary results contrast with maize's initial physiological responses, eliminating the risk of pests, diseases, weeds and edaphoclimatic interferences/competition. We also agree that future studies with field experimentation are extremely important for a complete understanding of the topic.
