Research Details

Exploration, Identification and Characterization of Wild Edible Macrofungi in Ilocos Norte (Study 1)

Charito Samsam , Erle Stanley Damaso , Constante Julian , Maria Tereza Blanco , Rodel Cabugon

Category: Study

Status: Completed

Duration: March 12, 2019 - March 31, 2022

Additional Information

Project: Research and Development for Wild Edible Mushrooms in Ilocos Norte (Project)

Brief Description

Wild microfungi is one among the diverse natural resource found in the forest areas in Ilocos Region. The varied agroclimatic and topographic condition provides favourabel environment for the proliferation of heterogeneous groups of fungi. These are classified as food, non-food and poisonous. The existence of wild macrofungi in the forest ecosystem is indispensable in the recycling of nutrient through the degradation of organic matters.

Wild edible mushrooms are collected and consumed since history began. They are among the most valuable non-wood forest product with high market value. Increased interest on wild mushrooms has ballooned due to its nutritional and health benefits. There is a strong evidence on the many uses of wild edible fungi and their significance to the rural populace. However, information and documentation of edible macrofungi in this part of the region is still lacking. Thus, the need to explore and identify, characterize the macrofungi and the environment the macrofungi are found and document their utilization to the surrounding community. Understanding better the diversity and potential of wild edible mushrooms found in Ilocos Norte could provide baseline information for more effective utilization and conservation of this forest resource.

Methodology:

  1. Wild edible mushrooms will be collected in accessible areas from various towns of Ilocos Norte with the assistance of field personnels of DA, DENR, LGU's and rural folks such as local inhabitants who have good knowledge of wild edible mushroom.
  2. The information gathered will be verified through reconnaissance surveys on the identified areas.
  3. Actual assessment will be done when the edible mushroom occur.
  4. Standard method of collection, preservation and identification will be followed. 
  5. Collected mushrooms will be properly labelled indicating the origin and date of collection.
  6. Samples will be brought to institutions with experts in mycology for proper identification.
  7. Nutritional analysis of the wild edible mushrooms collected will be pursued.
  8. Environmental attributes, historical data, topography, elevation, vegetation profile and soil type will be described and documented.
  9. Documentation and macro-morphological characterization will be done in situ.

Expected Output

Schedule of Activities:

  1. Exploration, identification and characterization of wild macrofungi in Ilocos Norte for food and non-food applications 
    1. benchmarking (4 weeks) - initial information of collection areas
  2.  
    1. preliminary interview of key informants (DA and DENR) (4 weeks) - secondary data of possible collection areas
  3.  
    1. actual interview of key informants (rural area) (8 weeks) - primary sources of information
  4.  
    1. verification through reconnaissance survey of the identified areas (8 weeks) - verified information
  5.  
    1. bio-physical characterization of the area, collection of wild macrofungi (28 weeks) - soil type, rainfall, temperature, vegetative cover, land-use, topography, coordinates/different species of wild edible mushrooms
  6.  
    1. documentation, macro-morphological characterization of the macrofungi and conservation of mycelia (28 weeks) - documents, pictorials, morpho-characteristics, and source of mycelia for mass cultivation of different macrofungi
  7.  
    1. verification/taxonomical identification/nutritional analysis (28 weeks) - taxonomic identification of the collected wild edible macrofungi
  8.