Abstract:

Wild mushroom has been abundant and the consumption habit of mushrooms by local people has long history in northern Ethiopia though decreased with the prevailing degradation. The paper assessed the phenotypic species diversity, nutritional value and farmer’s perception on consumption habit of wild mushrooms. Fifteen 1000 m2 plots were established to analyze the phenotypic species diversity and nutritional value from four different micro habitats. Managed grassland encompassed greater mushroom species diversity. A total of 1.189 individual mushrooms belonging to two genera and eleven species were identified. Most mushroom species preferred open to slightly open canopy cover. The moisture, protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash, fiber and phosphorus content of mushrooms ranged from 81.8-87.9%,  23.4-37.2%,  32.4-43.9%, 1.9-4.4%, 14.9-19.6%, 12.3-18.1%, 0.6-0.9% respectively. There were significant difference in moisture, protein and carbohydrate contents between mushroom species (P<0.05). About 96% of the respondents had awareness about mushroom consumption. 95.3% of the respondents have attested that the current status of edible wild mushroom population decrease in distribution. 40% of the respondents whom were previously consuming mushroom have currently stopped to use it. There is sharp decline in distribution and consumption of mushroom. In order to protect the decreasing status of mushroom, grassland management and mushroom conservation should be promoted and encouraged.

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