Authors : A.P.O. Engola , G. Eilu , J.D. Kabasa , L. Kisovi , P.K.T. Munishi and D. Olila
Abstract: The present study was conducted between (October, 2004) and (June, 2005) in two parishes of Kyebe Sub County in Rakai District located in the Lake Victoria Basin, Southwest of Uganda and west of Lake Victoria. The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between mushroom species occurrence, environmental factors and different vegetation types. Ten 1000 m-2 plots were established in each of three vegetation types (grassland, forest and garden) from where mushroom species and trees were assessed. Physical and chemical soil properties as well as canopy were determined in the sample plots. A total of 4.077 individual mushrooms belonging to 5 genera and 10 species were recorded in the plots. Three individuals that could not be identified were assigned to morpho species. Mushroom diversity and evenness were highest in the grassland while dominance was highest in the forest. Pluteus sp was found occurring only in the grassland, Agaricus sp 2 and K/K/04/N1 were found in the garden while three species (Termitomyces sp 1, Podabrella microcarpa and Agaricus sp 1) were found in all vegetation types. Termitomyces sp 1 and Pluteus sp were significantly correlated with some of the measured environmental factors. Indigenous edible mushrooms are an important aspect of ecology. The integrity of the grasslands should be protected to promote mushroom conservation. Field studies on mushroom species in this area in the future should target the rain season between September and December.
A.P.O. Engola , G. Eilu , J.D. Kabasa , L. Kisovi , P.K.T. Munishi and D. Olila , 2007. Ecology of Edible Indigenous Mushrooms of the Lake Victoria Basin (Uganda) . Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 62-68.