PHILIPPINE EDIBLE FUNGI 



By Otto A. Reinking * 



Mushrooms and other edible fungi are an important forest 

 by-product of the Philippine Islands. The culture of these useful 

 fungi is not extensively practiced, but vast numbers are collected 

 locally as they grow in the wild state. Instead of practicing de- 

 finite cultural methods, as is done in Japan and China, the people 

 of the Philippines depend upon imports to supply the general 

 commercial demand. According to the Insular Collector of Cus- 

 toms, dried mushrooms in bulk were imported at the port of 

 Manila during the year 1918 as follows: From China, ?11,981, 

 and from Japan ¥=9,097. Canned mushrooms are also consumed 

 in large quantities. The entire supply for home consumption 

 could be easily produced in this country, by special methods, 

 where conditions for growth and development are ideal. 



The first grade of the Auricvlaria type of fungi sells on the 

 Manila market for ?=3 a kilo, and the second grade for ?1.80 a 

 kilo. The price of the Japanese and Chinese form of Cortinellus 

 varies from ^2 to ¥=4.40 a kilo according to the season. At these 

 prices the latter fungi cost in a dried state, about two centavos 

 each. Local Chinese merchants will pay F1.60 a kilo for a good 

 grade of the Auricularia type of fungi grown in the Islands. 

 With such prices the mushroom and edible fungus industry could 

 be easily established to supply the local demand with home grown 

 products. 



Edible fungi grow wild abundantly in the forests on decaying 

 wood. They are found also in small clearings and on lawns, 

 where they derive their food from organic matter in the ground. 

 One excellent form develops from abandoned termite nests. The 

 common cultivated type, Volvaria esculenta Bres. is grown on 

 piles of abaca, banana, or rice straw refuse which has been pre- 

 pared in a shady and damp place such as in abaca and banana 

 plantations or in old overgrown wood-lots. In China and Japan 

 a more extensive system of culture is practiced. Shipments 

 from China consist primarily of the dried Aurieularia type. 

 This fungus grows on decaying wood, everywhere in the Philip- 

 pines. In the Tagalog regions it is known as taiiigang-daga, 



* Professor of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Los Banos. 



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