Cenchrus fungigraminus is a high-yielding forage material, but due to its relatively high lignin content and low carbohydrate content, its current feed utilization primarily relies on silage methods. However, current research on C. fungigraminus silage faces challenges such as unclear fermentation strains and low fiber degradation efficiency of traditional commercial starters, which prevent them from meeting the requirements for C. fungigraminus silage production. So, this study aimed to evaluate the fiber degradation effects of Bacillus velezensis JC2 (isolated from C. fungigraminus), the commercial cellulose-degrading bacterium Bacillus velezensis (CBV), and Trichoderma longibrachiatum (CTL) on C. fungigraminus. The degradation performance of JC2 was assessed based on the lignocellulose content of silage samples, scanning electron microscopy observations, crystallinity, and changes in chemical bonds and functional groups. Furthermore, the three strains exhibiting the highest activities of CMCase, FPase, and β-glucosidase during the screening process were combined with enzyme preparations to develop a specialized silage additive suitable for C. fungigraminus. The results indicate that: (1) Compared to commercial cellulose-degrading strains, after 14 days of fermentation with JC2 treatment, the lignin in C. fungigraminus was effectively degraded. (2) The silage feed of C. fungigraminus treated with a mixture of JC2, JC3, and JC28 showed significant improvements in sensory evaluation, lactic acid content, and cellulose degradation rate. The pH value decreased rapidly (<4.2), while the LA content and the LA/AA ratio increased, and the NDF content decreased by 4.2% DM, effectively enhancing the quality of the silage feed. In summary, the Bacillus velezensis JC2 selected in this experiment effectively degraded the fiber structure of C. fungigraminus, improved the quality of the silage, and enhanced its nutritional value, demonstrating significant potential as a specialized silage additive for C. fungigraminus.

Cenchrus fungigraminus (Juncao) is a high-yielding, fast-growing forage crop with considerable potential for livestock feed; however, optimizing its processing is essential for cost reduction and quality enhancement. This study comprised three components: (1) a comprehensive analysis of 25 on-farm silage samples from five locations in Southwest China using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA); (2) an assessment of the effects of three cutting heights (low: 100–150 cm; mid: 150–200 cm; high: 200–250 cm) on silage quality; and (3) a comparison of silage quality between natural fermentation and microbial inoculant treatments using mature Juncao (250–300 cm). The results showed that: (1) in the on-farm silage samples, carbon supplementation was significantly positively correlated with total digestible nutrients (TDN), relative feed value (RFV), ether extract (EE), and sensory evaluation (p < 0.05), and the GRA identified the top-ranked treatments, including J2, J3, J6, X6, and J5; (2) in the cutting height trials, fiber content increased significantly with cutting height (p < 0.05), while crude protein (CP) and TDN decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The 200–250 cm group exhibited optimal fermentation quality, characterized by the highest total volatile fatty acids (total VFA) and lactic acid concentrations, alongside the lowest pH and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen ratios (NH₃-N/TN); (3) in the inoculant comparison, the natural fermentation group demonstrated significantly higher degradation rates of acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) compared to the microbial inoculant group, while also maintaining a lower pH, higher total VFA and lactic acid. Consequently, for on-farm production, carbon supplementation is recommended to improve silage quality. Although cutting Juncao below 200 cm provides higher nutritional value, a height of 200–250 cm is advised to ensure optimal fermentation characteristics. Furthermore, natural fermentation proves superior to microbial inoculant treatment for mature Juncao. Together, these measures offer an effective strategy for producing high-quality Juncao silage.

Conventional sterilization limits smallholder mushroom cultivation in Papua New Guinea. This study evaluated alternative disinfection methods for Pleurotus ostreatus using coffee parchment and Juncao grass substrates. Twenty strains were screened; the superior strain PXF9 was selected. Three methods were compared: CSAI (T1 and T2), SSOI, (T3), and NSOI (T4). Growth, yield, nutrition, heavy metals, enzymes, and metabolites were assessed. Strain PXF9 showed superior growth. CSAI (T1) achieved the highest yield (3985 g/24 bags), biological efficiency (83.03%), protein (28.44 g/100g), and profit ($14.76), with fastest colonization (21 days). SSOI (T3) produced the largest fruiting bodies, while NSOI (T4) yielded the lowest heavy metal levels. All nutritional values met or exceeded literature standards. SSOI and NSOI generated profits of $9.88 and $5.96 per 24 bags, respectively. Bioactive compounds (naringenin, ergosterol peroxide) were detected across treatments. CSAI maximizes productivity, but SSOI and NSOI are viable low-cost alternatives for resource-limited farmers requiring no autoclave. These findings provide flexible, evidence-based options for sustainable mushroom cultivation using locally available agricultural wastes in tropical regions.

As a high-yield and fast-growing novel forage, Juncao (Cenchrus fungigraminus) holds significant potential for feed applications. Appropriate processing methods can effectively enhance the feeding efficacy of Juncao silage and reduce feed costs for farmers and herdsmen. In this study, Juncao at three different heights (1.0–1.5 m, 1.5–2.0 m, and 2.0–2.5 m) was selected for silage fermentation to determine the optimal harvesting height. Additionally, Juncao at a height of 2.5–3.0 m, which possesses the highest cellulose content, was selected for cellulose degradation analysis to evaluate the degradation efficiency of conventional silage additives on fiber content.The results indicated that the fiber content of Juncao silage was significantly positively correlated with growth height, whereas crude protein and crude fat contents showed a significant negative correlation. Furthermore, the total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) and lactic acid contents reached their peak in the 2.0–2.5 m (High) group. Cellulose degradation analysis revealed that the degradation rates of various cellulose components were higher under natural fermentation conditions compared to treatments with silage additives. However, further research is required to explore whether specific additives tailored for Juncao silage exist. Based on this experimental analysis, it can be concluded that utilizing 2.0–2.5 m Juncao for natural fermentation during the ensiling process can effectively improve nutritional composition and fermentation quality while achieving a higher cellulose degradation rate. Nonetheless, subsequent studies are necessary to refine and establish a complete and scientific methodology for Juncao silage production.

Conventional sterilization methods limit smallholder mushroom cultivation in PNG. This study evaluated alternative disinfection approaches for Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) using coffee parchment and Cenchrus fungiraminus (C. fungigraminus) as substrates. After screening 20 strains, the superior strain PXF9 was selected. Three methods were compared: (1) Complete Sterilization with Aseptic Inoculation (CSAI) applied to T1 (experimental) and T2 (sawdust control); (2) Short Sterilization with Open Inoculation (SSOI) applied to T3 (experimental) and T5 (control); and (3) Non sterilization with Open Inoculation (NSOI) applied to T4 (experimental). CSAI (T1) achieved the highest yield (3985.26 ± 2.00 ^d g/24 bags), biological efficiency (83.03%), protein (28.44 g/100 g), and profit (14.76 USD), with the fastest colonization (21 days). SSOI (T3) produced the largest fruiting bodies; NSOI (T4) had the lowest heavy metal levels. SSOI and NSOI were economically beneficial (9.88 and 5.96 UDS per 24 bags). Bioactive compounds (e.g., naringenin, ergosterol peroxide), were detected across treatments. While CSAI maximizes productivity, SSOI and NSOI offer low-cost alternatives for resource-limited farmers.