In sacco degradability of wheat straw residues after growing of Lentinus tuberregium (Fr.) Fr.

The tropical fungus Lentinus tuberregium was cultivated on steamed wheat st raw at various cultivation conditions (time, temperature, Moisture). After harvesting of sclerotia/fruit bodies straw residues were directly weighed, analysed and prepared for in sacco Measurements with three rumen fistulated sheep. Lignin content of wheat straw decreased from 7.8% to 2.4% of straw residues. The lignin loss varied between 59.0 and 89.7% and was more select ive than the carbohydrates. Effective degradability of dry Matter of wheat straw residues at the passage rate of 0.04 per h increased from 32.2 (untre ated control) up to 64.4%. The results show that Lentinus tuberregium degra ded lignin and improved dry Matter degradation Of residues in the rumen. Fu rther investigations seem to be necessary to optimise the conditions of sol id-state fermentation.