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Abstract: Agaricus bisporus is grown in composts based on wheat straw. The fungus degrades a considerable fraction of the compost dry matter. The fungal mycelium has been shown to produce a set of extracellular degradative enzymes. The combined activities of these are probably responsible for the degradation of the major plant cell wall polymers found in straw including lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and protein. Certain of these enzymes are produced in large quantity and also show changes in activity associated with fruiting. One of these, laccase, may be reutilised by the mycelium as a supplementary nitrogen source. In addition to the degradation of straw it has been shown that the mycelium of A. bisporus can degrade and metalaolise dead microorganisms. The microbial biomass fraction of compost may be a major source of nitrogen for the mycelium. Dead microorganisms could serve also as a source of carbon compounds and act as a mineral source and water reserve for the growing mycelium. Mineral nutrients may also be derived from the straw. The nutritional component(s) which limit mycelial yield in compost remain unknown and should be determined so that suitable, supplementary nutrients can be incorporated into compost to improve nycelial and hence fruit body yields.
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