THE EFFECT OF WHITE-ROT BASIDIOMYCETES ON CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION AND IN-VITRO DIGESTIBILITY OF WHEAT-STRAW

Five white-rot basidiomycetes were evaluated for their potential to im prove ruminal degradation of wheat straw. Polyorus brumalis, Lyophyllu m ulmarium III, Trametes gibbosa, Pleurotus ostreatus, and a Pleurotus ostreatus mutant were incubated on wheat straw for 30 d at 28 degrees C. Detergent fiber, crude protein and in vitro dry matter digestibili ty (IVDMD) were determined. The results showed increasing crude protei n and ash contents in fungus-treated straw. IVDMD values were increase d in straws treated with P. ostreatus, P. ostreatus mutant and T. gibb osa only. Relative to untreated wheat straw the detergent fiber conten t - neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was reduced in fungus-treated straw and out of three fractions - hemicellu lose, cellulose and lignin, hemicellulose showed the largest proportio nate loss whereas lignin the smallest one in all 5 samples of fungus t reated straw.