Abstract:
The present investigation is aimed to collect and identify Sri Lankan indigenous
mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum in particular and explore and exploit the possibilities to
domesticate the selected "elite" mushroom species. The study further envisages to promote
the Sri Lankan mushroom industry and to open new avenues to the domestic mushroom
market. Young basidiocarps of seven Sri Lankan indigenous mushrooms were collected
from two locations at the southern and south east part of Sri Lanka, i.e Kanneliya and
Walankanda forest reserves, during June – September 2009. The collected mushrooms
belonged to the genera Ganoderma, Polystictus, Mycena (“Kanamediri Hathu”),
Hexagonia (“Monara Hathu”), and Plurotus. The natural habitat and the vital diagnostic
features of each mushroom were recorded in order to gain a better understanding of their
ecology and growth requirements to ensure the formulation of an artificial cultivation
technology for the development of sustainable use of these much-valued macro-fungi.
Taxonomic identifications were made according to the literature. Malt Extract Agar was
identified as the preferred medium to maintain mycelial cultures of each of the seven
mushrooms. Spawn propogules of the respective cultures were made using mango saw
dust based formulation and subsequently used for fruit body production. Among the three
Ganoderma species [(White (GAW), Orange (GAO), and Purple (GAP)] studied, GAW and
GAO showed vigorous mycelial growth on sawdust substrate/s and slow and scanty growth
was exhibited by GAP. Furthermore, white and orange pigmentations were developed in
GAW and GAO respectively but no colour change was visible in spawn substrates of GAP.
The spawn run period for species GAW, GAO and GAP were 40, 42 and 55 days,
respectively. Quite contrary to above result, after a protracted incubation period pin heads
were formed only in GAP and further developed to basidiocarp but no primodial
development was observed from GAW and GAO. Further studies are being directed to
understand the factors influencing carpogenesis and strategies to trigger early
fructification
