HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Miller, R. V. Articles by Staffeldt, E. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Miller, R. V. Articles by Staffeldt, E. E.

Evaluation of Myrothecium verrucaria as a Nutrient Source for Ruminants¹

Departments of Biology and Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003

ABSTRACT

The soil saprophytic fungus Myrothecium verrucaria was cultivated from glucose, starch, or xylan as the carbon source, and the biomass was compared with three selected feedstuffs. Fungal biomass was analyzed for nitrogen, protein, lipid, water soluble fraction, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and residual ash, and the in vitro dry matter disappearance was determined. The chemical composition of M. verrucaria varied with substrate. In nitrogen content, the fungal biomass was more similar to alfalfa hay than to milo stalks or wheat straw. Content of water soluble fraction of fungal biomass was between those of alfalfa hay and milo stalks; content of hemicellulose was between those of milo stalks and wheat straw. The fungal fractions identified as cellulose and lignin varied widely with substrate. The fungal biomass was less digestible than alfalfa hay but more digestible than milo stalks or wheat straw. There may be potential uses of this organism in upgrading nutritive value of low-quality forages.

¹ Submitted as Journal Article 710, Agricultural Experiment Station, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces.

² Department of Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman.

³ Deceased, September, 1977.