Lignocellulose Utilization and Bacterial Communities of Millet Straw Based Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Production

Summary

This research demonstrated that millet straw, an abundant agricultural byproduct in Northern China, can be effectively used to grow commercial button mushrooms. The study analyzed how the straw breaks down during composting and mushroom growth, showing yields comparable to traditional wheat straw methods. This has important implications for sustainable agriculture and waste utilization. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides farmers in arid regions a new way to use leftover millet straw • Demonstrates sustainable recycling of agricultural waste into valuable food products • Offers potential cost savings for mushroom growers by using locally available materials • Could help increase mushroom production in regions where wheat straw is scarce • Shows how agricultural waste can be converted into nutritious food

Background

Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom) is typically cultivated on wheat and rice straw in China. While millet straw represents a potential alternative substrate, its use has been largely unstudied. Millet is widely cultivated in arid regions of Northern China with annual production around 1.78 million tons, making its straw readily available as a potential cultivation medium.

Objective

To determine the feasibility of using millet straw as the primary carbon source for commercial A. bisporus mushroom cultivation by analyzing changes in carbohydrate compositions, lignocellulolytic enzyme levels, and bacterial diversity during composting and cultivation.

Results

The mature compost demonstrated high quality with total nitrogen (2.0%), pH (7.5), and C/N ratio (18:1). During composting, 47-50% of cellulose, 63-65% of hemicellulose, and 8-17% lignin were degraded. During cultivation, A. bisporus consumed 22-27% cellulose, 14-16% hemicellulose, and 15-21% lignin. The highest FPUase and CMCase activities occurred during mushroom flushes. Endo-xylanase showed high activity during cultivation stages. Laccase activity peaked during pinning stage. Mushroom yield reached 20 kg/m2, comparable to wheat straw yields.

Conclusion

Millet straw was demonstrated to be an effective substrate for A. bisporus cultivation, producing yields comparable to traditional wheat straw-based production. The physical and chemical properties of the mature compost were suitable for mushroom growth, with appropriate enzyme activities and bacterial communities supporting successful cultivation.
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