Silanikove, N., MIGAL, Galilee Technological Centre, Kiryat Shmona 10-200, Israel
Danai, O., MIGAL, Galilee Technological Centre, Kiryat Shmona 10-200, Israel
Levanon, D., Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50-250, Israel

The possibility of growing Pleurotus while utilizing cotton straw and a combination of cotton straw (50%) and wheat straw (50%) as substrates for the production of edible mushrooms was examined on a pilot-plant scale. It is possible to preserve cotton straw anaerobically, creating a 'silage-like' material with a typical pH of 5·5. Following composting, the pH of preserved cotton straw increased to 8·78. Organic matter losses after fungal growth on composted cotton straw substrates were considerably lower than on standard substrates (90% wheat straw and 10% alfalfa hay). The yield of edible mushrooms was maximal on the 50% wheat straw-50% cotton straw substrate, and the interval between inoculation and first harvesting of the mushrooms was shorter on cotton straw-based substrates than on the standard substrate. The increase in teh ash content during the growing period was also lower in the cotton straw-based substrates than in the standard substrates. During the growth cycle, lignocellulose content of the substrates decreased and detergent-soluble content increased, indicating that the quality of the substrate as a feedstuff for ruminants had improved. © 1988.