Researchers studied how treating corn stalk with diluted sulfuric acid solution can improve its breakdown by Trichoderma fungi. They found that this pretreatment breaks down the tough structure of corn stalk, making it easier for Trichoderma to degrade. After 8 days of fermentation, the pretreated corn stalk had a degradation rate of 65%, with 57% of cellulose broken down. Co-fermentation with yeast further increased degradation to 70% for the stalk and 60% for cellulose, improving the nutritional value of the corn stalk and providing a cost-effective way to produce protein-rich feed.