A collaborative research project of Charles Darwin University (CDU), the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) is now entering its final stage.
The project has demonstrated strong potential for recycling cotton, grain and cattle waste to support a circular economy in mushroom production in the Northern Territory. Waseem Ahmed, PhD candidate, is leading this work, with completion and publication of outcomes expected by the end of 2026.
Initial trials confirmed that cotton waste can be effectively used as a substrate for mushroom cultivation. Building on these results, the research expanded to assess a range of substrate formulations using locally available agro-industrial residues, including:
- cotton trash
- millet
- sorghum and sesame residues
- cattle waste
- sawdust
- hay.
The project has now advanced to the final stage, focusing on refined formulations and detailed nutrient analysis to strengthen the scientific evidence for cotton trash as a sustainable substrate. This final phase supports a circular economy approach for the Northern Territory, demonstrating how agro-industrial residues, particularly cotton trash, can be converted into valuable food production systems while delivering socio-economic benefits and supporting sustainability and innovation within the mushroom industry.
This project has received funding support through CRCNA, part of the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Program.
