Domestication of Pleurotus sajor-caju, P. ostreatus and Laetiporus sulphureus from the Abongfen gallery forest of Kedjom-Keku, Northwest Region of Cameroon

This study aimed to conserve the rich biodiversity of wild mushrooms in Abongfen Forest by domesticating selected species for year-round availability and protection from extinction. Six mushrooms collected (Laetiporus sulphureus, Phellinus sp, Inonotus obliquus, Pleurotus sajor-caju, Stereum sp. and Pleurotus ostreatus) were cultured in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) to obtain pure cultures and mother spawn which was subsequently domesticated. Each mushroom species was cultivated in a completely randomized design with four treatments: sawdust (50%) mixed with maize cobs (50%), palm cones (100%), sawdust (100%) and beans straw (100%), all supplemented with rice brand (10%) and quick lime in eight replicates. Maize cobs were ground in an electric mill while palm cones and bean straws were reduced with a sharp knife to smaller sizes (1-3cm long) and soaked overnight in tap water. Excess water was drained using a sieve to 65% moisture content. Each portion was well mixed on a clean, cemented floor using a clean spade. 2.0 kg of each composition was filled into 25 x 15 cm polypropylene bags and sterilized in a drum for 4 hours. After cooling, each bag was inoculated with three table spoonsful of spawn, incubated at room temperature 25±2 oC and the spawn run was observed until fully colonized. The days of colonization, primordial initiation and harvesting were noted. The fruit bodies on each bag were counted and weighed (g) after harvesting to determine the yield. Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus ostreatus and Laetiporus sulphureus colonized the substrate, but only Pleurotus grew and produced fruit bodies. Mycelial colonization was higher on beans straw (31.60 ± 2.46 days). The mean diameter of pileus (24.70±0.94 cm) and, average number of fruiting bodies (4.5±1.2) and weight of fruit bodies (95.20 ± 2.58 g) were best on maize cobs mixed with sawdust. Wild edible mushrooms need to be domesticated to ensure their availability for food and medicine and to provide a source of income.