Biodegradation of lignocellulosic agricultural wastes by Pleurotus ostreatus

Cotton plant stalks are available in vast quantities in all cotton-growing areas. The material poses agrotechnical problems since the stalks have a fibrous structure resembling that of hardwood and contain 46% cellulose, 20% hemicellulose and 21% lignin. Two potential uses for this material are as a fuel in rural areas and as a substrate for the 'oyster mushroom', Pleurotus. In this work, degradation of the lignocellulosic component of cotton stalks by Pleurotus is described. This fungus degrades lignocellulose with obvious selectivity for lignin, resulting in increased digestibility of the remaining organic matter.