Dynamics of mushroom (Boletus edulis) production in pine plantations in Zimbabwe

Abstract

A three-year study of Boletus edulis mushroom (sporocarp) production was undertaken in Plnus plantations at two sites in Zimbabwe. The average sporocarp cap diameter was 22,86 cm, and fresh and dry weights were 206,86 g and 22,31 g, respectively. The total number of sporocarps counted was 16 881, representing 3 492 kg fresh weight. Average sporocarp productivity was 7,76 kg fresh weight/ ha/year. The site, year, thickness of the pine litter layer on the ground floor, pine regeneration (stems/ha), thinning stage and the percent age of light reaching the ground had a significant effect on sporocarp production, while Pinus species and age, soil type and aspect had no significant effect. The interactions of site x year, regeneration x light penetration, species x regeneration and year x regeneration had a significant effect on the abundance of sporocarps. Combining these results, young stands with moderate litter layer, and at least 20% light penetration, were more productive than other stands. Two peak sporocarp occurrence at the beginning and towards the end of each rainy season were observed, with very little sporocarp production during the drier months.