2021 Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages 58-67
In the present study, we examined the productivity of Enokitake mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) on substrates containing materials with different cutting lengths, and the physical effect as roughage of silage prepared from the resultant spent mushroom substrates. In Experiment 1, sweetcorn stover after harvest of the grains was cut into 13mm (S) and 28mm (L) and lactic-fermented in plastic bags for preservability (FCS). Cultivation experiment of Enokitake mushroom was conducted using substrates in which corncob was replaced with graded levels of S- and L-FCS (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Among the 8 experimental groups, the spent substrate of L75% group was selected as the silage material in Experiment 2, because this group showed no disadvantage other than the elongated cultivation period, and contained longer length and greater content of FCS. In Experiment 2, the chemical components of corn silage and silages made of spent mushroom substrates (SMS) from an Enokitake farmer and L75% group were measured. Furthermore, feed intake, eating and ruminating times and chewing activity of four ewes given these silages were recorded. The SMS and L75 silages were low in lactic acid level and relatively high in pH, compared with corn silage, but did not exhibit unpleasant color, odor and texture. In in vivo study using the above ewes, feed intake tended to increased when SMS and L75 silages were given, eating and ruminating times and the number of chews decreased when SMS silage was given and recovered in part when L75 silage was given.
In conclusion, it was suggested that Enokitake mushroom can be cultivated on the substrate containing long-cut FCS, and the silage made of the resultant spent substrate may have a physical effect as roughage to some extent.
