ESTIMATION OF WHEAT-STRAW QUALITY FOR EDIBLE MUSHROOM PRODUCTION AND EFFECTS OF A GROWTH-REGULATOR

Three cultivars of soft wheat were cultivated with or without a growth regulator, Terpal(R) (BASF), and the differences in straw chemical co mpositions and biodegradabilities were determined. Significant differe nces between cultivars were found Although no pattern of growth-regula tor treatment effects could be drawn, differences between treated and non-treated samples were observed for each cultivar. Correlations betw een the biodegradability of straw cell-wall, estimated with polysaccha ridases or cultures of Scytalidium thermophilum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes, and lignin or nitrogen contents of straw were signif icantly positive. Correlations between biodegradability and ash conten ts were negative. Estimations of straw quality both by chemical analys es and proper measurements of biodegradability could be useful for mus hroom production.