IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF INDIGENOUS MUSHROOM IN BRGY. LANDAN, POLOMOLOK, SOUTH COTABATO

The study was conducted to serve as a baseline data for the identification and classification of indigenous mushroom species in the selected sampling area of Brgy. Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato. A transect line was used in this study to identify the sampling area and area of origin of the mushroom species. The mushroom identified and classified consisted of 7 species, with a total population of 68 mushrooms. It was observed that the more shaded the area, the cooler the temperature and the more frequent rainfall, the higher occurrence of mushroom in the area. Results disclosed that Marasmius rotula mushroom species had the highest population (35.00%) with a number of 23 and the lowest population found was Trametes pubescens with only 1.00% of the total mushroom population. The population count of other mushroom species such as Auricularia auricula-judae, Auricularia cornea, Isaria farinosa, Microporus xanthopus, and Polyporus arcularius were found to be 8.00, 20.00, 12.00, 20.00, 4.00, and 8.00%, respectively. All the mushroom species identified were clustered and were growing in trees. Generally, indigenous mushrooms in the area are considered edible based on reports. The edible mushrooms are Auricularia cornea, Auricularia auricula- judae, Marasmius rotula, and Microporus xanthopus, while inedible are Trametes pubescens. Isaria farinosa, and Lentinus arcularius. However, the localities are not familiar with the edibility of some of these mushroom species.