Abstract:
Kenya is rich in mushroom biodiversity that has not been fully exploited. Rural communities consume wild ediblespecies especially during the rainy seasons. Utilization of mushrooms collected from the wild requires adequatedescription of useful phenetic features and morpho-cultural characteristics which create basis for molecularapproaches. The aim of this study was to morphologically characterize Macrolepiota spp. and develop grainpropagation spawns. Twenty one accessions were collected with assistance of local residents. Fruiting bodies weresubjected to macro and micro-morphological characterization. Propagation spawns were developed from puremycelial culture. The spawning experiment was arranged in completely randomized design with three replicates.Morphological analysis showed close similarity between indigenous and exotic species. Microscopic analysis ofspores and external features of mycelia colonies did not reveal significant differences. Spawn production showedthat wheat bran supplemented with sorghum and millet grains can be successfully colonized by mycelia to producehigh quality spawn. This study has established new wild edible mushroom species in Kenya. Based on conventionalmorphological taxonomy the Kenyan Macrolepiota species from Aberdare National Forest Reserve is described forthe first time as a new Basidiomycota. The species is edible. However, domestication protocols can be developedto address food insecurity and supplement families’ income. Formation of a checklist to be used as a reference isvital as the fungal diversity keeps on changing.
