Identifying Indigenous Practices for Cultivation of Wild Saprophytic Mushrooms: Responding to the Need for Sustainable Utilization of Natural Resources

Author: mycolabadmin
2019-12-12
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Summary

This research examines traditional methods of growing wild mushrooms in Uganda, showing how local communities are adapting their practices to maintain mushroom production while protecting natural resources. The study reveals innovative ways that agricultural waste products can be recycled to grow different types of edible and medicinal mushrooms. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides sustainable income opportunities for low-income communities, especially women – Offers solutions for food security through year-round mushroom production – Demonstrates environmentally-friendly ways to recycle agricultural waste – Preserves traditional knowledge while adapting it for modern needs – Creates opportunities for value-added products and economic development

Background

Due to increasing pressure on natural resources, subsistence agriculture communities in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing increasingly restricted access to diminishing natural resources that are critical for their livelihoods. Previously common-pool resources like forests and grasslands have been either gazetted for conservation or leased for agriculture, particularly for large-scale sugarcane production. Meeting the growing consumer demand for grassland or forestry products like wild mushrooms as food or medicine requires innovative ethno-biological and industry development strategies to improve production capacity while reducing pressure on diminishing natural resources and preventing ecosystem degradation.

Objective

This case study addresses traditional knowledge systems for artisanal mycoculture to identify cultivation practices that enhance sustainable utilization of natural resources. The study aims to characterize artisanal production methods and identify locally used substrates for cultivation of different mushroom species through multi-scalar stakeholder engagement across government and community sectors.

Results

The study identified six production methods for saprophytic mushrooms using different substrates: naturally composted grass/forest litter with termites, composted cattle manure, banana juice residue and spear grass, waste sorghum, composted maize cobs, and deadwood from hardwood trees. These substrates were used to cultivate five types of wild saprophytic mushrooms (Termitomyces sp., Agaricus sp., Volvariella speciosa, Agrocybe sp.) plus commercial oyster mushrooms. The knowledge and practices surrounding each production system have environmental and cultural relevance beyond economic benefits.

Conclusion

Solely depending on existing production methods for increasing mushroom production is untenable given current pressures. However, significant traditional knowledge exists, especially regarding substrate use, to improve mycoculture efficiency and capacity. Integration of traditional knowledge into mushroom industry development would improve resource utilization and enhance conservation. Each production system demonstrates commercial development potential, though improved methods to control environmental and agricultural inputs are necessary. Future research should focus on spore production methods and improved growing techniques using enclosed facilities or mycoculture-agroforestry approaches.

Published in:Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine,
Study Type:Case Study,
Source: 10.1186/s13002-019-0342-z