Building the jigsaw puzzle of the critically endangered Pleurotus nebrodensis: historical collection sites and an emended description

Historical collection sites of the critically endangered Pleurotus nebrodensis were retraced in Sicily (southern Italy) using recently rediscovered documents and through interviews with local people. These localities were visited in 2009 and checked for the presence of this rare mushroom, confirming a continuing decline in fruiting. An emended description of the taxon is provided based on observations on abundant recently collected material. The need for more incisive action to safeguard this valuable mushroom by the University of Palermo, Regional Park of Madonie Administration and policy makers is emphasized.

Cultivation and nutritional value of Pleurotus nebrodensis

A detailed report on Pleurotus nebrodensis cultivation methodologies, production costs, main pests and diseases and their control techniques is presented, together with information about the nutritional value and medicinal properties of the mushroom.

Taxonomic identity, geographic distribution and commercial exploitation of the culinary-medicinal mushroom Pleurotus nebrodensis

This work provides an updated overview of an investigation carried out in Europe and elsewhere on the culinary-medicinal mushroom Pleurotus nebrodensis. In particular, the taxonomic identitiy of P. nebrodensis and other related oyster mushrooms with entirely white to cream basidiomata that grow on different plants of the family Apiaceae, is clarified. The differences in the cultivation techniques, the quality of product sold and the sales price in Europe and Asia are also highlighted. Taking also into consideration the importance of P. nebrodensis from the medicinal point of view, it appears appropriate to proceed with a verification of the commercial strains currently available in the inte…

Market outlook, production chain and technological innovation for Pleurotus nebrodensis mushrooms

This chapter provides a report of a marketing investigation performed in synergy with private companies in order to activate a production chain for the cultivation and trade of Pleurotus nebrodensis. A recent experience of technological innovation carried out in a farm of the Madonie (N. Sicily) territory is also presented. Notes on the status of Critically Endangered species and pertinent legislation are also provided.

Diversity of macrofungi and exploitation of edible mushroom resources in the National Park “Appennino Lucano, Val D'Agri, Lagonegrese” (Italy)

An investigation on the macrofungal diversity of the National Park “Appennino Lucano, Val D’Agri, Lagonegrese” (Basilicata, southern Italy) was carried out, together with an evaluation of wild edible mushrooms in agro-forest ecosystems and their possible exploitation as a new source of food and revenue in rural and under-developed areas of this region. An unpublished list of 249 mushroom taxa (229 Basidiomycota and 20 Ascomycota), mostly belonging to the genera Tricholoma, Tuber, Russula, Amanita, Boletus, Lactarius, Mycena, Agaricus, Clitocybe and Hygrophorus, growing in this important natural area is provided together with ecological characterization of the recorded specimens. Inonotus ob…

Pleurotus species suitable for commercial mushroom production in warm climates

IDENTIFICATION AND SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS IN RURAL AREAS (“MYCOTICON”, LDV-TOI PROJECT): DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE TRAINING PACKAGE TO MEET EDUCATIONAL AND INCOME-GENERATING DEMANDS IN SOUTH EUROPE AND FOR IMPROVING THE USE OF MUSHROOMS AS HIGH-VALUE FOOD

In Mediterranean and in southeast Europe the activities of a significant part of the population are traditionally linked with agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. However, many rural communities are experiencing serious difficulties associated with low income per person and poor employment prospects combined with increased demographic decline. Alternative activities such as the collection and trading of wild edible mushrooms as well as the cultivation of choice species could contribute at providing valuable solutions both in financial and environmental terms. The total number of fungal species which are considered having edible and/or medicinal value is over 2300 [1]. Most of them fo…

The cultivation of Pleurotus and Lentinus mushrooms in tropical and subtropical areas: an overview

The cultivation of edible mushrooms dates back a long time (CHANG & QUIMIO, 1982). The oyster mushrooms [Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Kumm.] are among the most popular edible mushrooms, and their cultivation is practiced throughout the world (KONG, 2004). P. ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. is the most widely-cultivated Pleurotus species for which many commercial strains have been developed. Other Pleurotus spp., i.e. P. cystidiosus O.K. Mill., P. djamor (Rumph. ex Fr.) Boedijn and P. pulmomarius (Fr.) Quél., are also exploited in both tropical and subtropical regions. In addition, Lentinus tuber-regium (Fr.) Fr., a common mushroom species in the southern part of Nigeria, is being studied and cultivated fo…

Macrofungi in Mediterranean maquis along seashore and altitudinal transects

In semi-arid Mediterranean environments, fungal activity is fundamental for buffering biotic and abiotic stress to the plant and for sustaining a vegetation cover. Despite the important role that fungi play in habitats stability, mycological data from Mediterranean ecosystems are scarce and fragmentary. We investigated fungal diversity in several areas characterized by Mediterranean maquis, from continental Italy, Sicily, and Greece in order to contribute to the analysis of distribution, ecology, and diversity of macrofungi in evergreen sclerophyllous shrublands at different elevation and distance from the seashore across the Mediterranean Basin. Several fungal taxa that are remarkable due …

Macrofungi as ecosystem resources: Conservation versus exploitation

Fungi are organisms of significant importance not only for the crucial roles they undertake in nature but also for many human activities that are strictly dependent on them. Indeed, fungi possess fundamental positions in ecosystems functioning including nutrient cycles and wood decomposition. As concerns human-related activities, edible and non-edible mushrooms are also involved and/or exploited in forestry, pharmaceutical industry and food production; hence, nowadays they represent a major economic source worldwide. In order to maintain and improve their strategic importance, several conservation strategies, such as habitat preservation, are needed. This article reports several contributio…

Pleurotus nebrodensis, a very special mushroom