Effects of spent mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrates on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics and digestibility of whole crop sorghum silage

The in vitro experiment was conducted to ensure the supplemental level of spent Flammulina velutipes mushroom substrates (SMS) as an energy source in manufacturing of whole crop sorghum silage. Sorghum harvested at heading stage was ensiled with spent mushroom substrates of 20% (S-20), 40% (S-40) and 60% (S-60) as fresh matter basis for 6 week. The experiment was conducted by 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 hrs of incubation time with 3 replications. The silages were evaluated fermentation characteristics and dry matter digestibility (DMD) in vitro. The pH of in vitro solution was inclined to decrease with elapsing the incubation time, and that of the S-20 was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the other treatment at 48 hr of incubation. Gas production was greater (P<0.05) in the S-20 than the other treatments at 6 and 12 hrs of incubation. The microbial growth in vitro was inclined to decrease following 24 hr of incubation, and thereafter sustained the similar levels. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was lowered by increasing the supplemental level of spent mushroom substrate, and was a low level in the S-60 throughout whole incubation time. Although the IVDMD for S-40 was steadily increased from 9 hr of incubation and reached to similar level with the S-20 at 48 hour of incubation, however SMS for whole crop sorghum silage fermentation might as well add about 20 to 30% in fresh matter basis when considering DMD.