Possible Domestication of Edible Wild Mushroom Agaricus silvaticus G. J. Keizer In Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The experiment on the artificial cultivation of Agaricus silvaticus was conducted in crop protection laboratory at the Rivers State University. Wild edible mushroom fruiting bodies used were collected from three different sites (site one, site two, site three) in Ogwe, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State. Mycelium (basidia) production was significantly achieved and cultivated in a modified ancient Indian traditional method, site two (66.0) significantly had the highest mycelium production compared to site three (49.0) and site one (48.0). The mycelium from 3 sites was used to inoculate the spent grain to achieved spawn production. Site two recorded the highest spawn production (56.0) followed by site one (52.0) and least at site three (39.0). Germination of Agaricus silvaticus pin-heads (primordia) were achieved by inoculating the spawn from the three sites into decomposed palm bunch (DPB) and decomposed saw dust (DSD) for fruiting bodies determination. The experimental results therefore shows significant difference on the relationship between two substrates decomposed palm bunch (DPB) in site one having the highest (53.7) followed by site two (46.3) and site three (41.3) and no growth in decomposed saw dust (DSD). It is note-worthy that this experiment successfully achieved mycelium production, spawn production and cropping of Agaricus silvaticus. This is a major scientific breakthrough and first trial for the cultivation of Agaricus silvaticus in Rivers State and Nigeria at large. Thus, the knowledge will contribute to the commercial production of Agaricus mushroom which is a dietary delicacy in most African Countries though completely dependent on seasonal growth from the wild.
Keywords: Agaricus silvaticus, mycelium, spawn and pin-head germination