Mushroom Research and Community Activities

MUSHROOM RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY

ACTIVITIES IN NAMIBIA UNU-INRA Supported Project: University of Namibia

UNU-INRA supported mushroom activities at the University of Namibia (UNAM) is based at the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC) and the Zero Emissions Research Initiatives (ZERI) SANUMARC: Established in 1999, an operating units of UNU-INRA

ZERI: Zero Emissions Regional project for Africa launched in 1994 at the United Nations University

ZERI and SANUMARC are designated Node of excellence in Mushroom farming by the NEPAD Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio).

Other supporting institutions / Donors for mushroom activities in Namibia

UNDP : United Nations Development Programme

GEF: Global Environment Facility

NEDBANK Namibia, Rössing Foundation, etc

Introduction

ZERI – Zero Emission Research Initiative

The Concept behind ZERI is to look at the wide spectrum of materials which are

often conceive as waste, and turning them to become new value-added products.

In 1996, Namibian first Independent President, Dr Sam Nujoma, sign a

Cooperation Agreement between the United Nations University and the

University of Namibia which involved the establishment of the UNESCO/UNU

ZERI Africa Chair at the University.

Establishment of SANUMARC was a fallout of this concept – sustainable use of

limited natural resources (marine and coastal)

INTRODUCTION

Brief on SANUMARC

SANUMARC General Research Focus

Marine Science

Coastal environment

Coastal agriculture

Mushrooms

Renewable energy

Water resources

Community

Outreach

Why Mushroom in Namibia?

Namibia is the driest country south of the Sahara.

Approximately 825,000 km2 (size of almost UK and France combined) and

population of 2 million people

Although the country has one of the highest per capital income in Sub

Saharan Africa, income distribution is highly skewed, leaving the majority of

the people living in poverty.

Sustainable arable land 1%


The Agriculture Sector is divided into

Commercial and Communal Farming.

Commercial Farming (making up only 2% of

the population) – Beef mainly for export

market.

Communal Farming (making up more than

70% of the population) - Subsistence farming

For these people, ZERI activities hold great

potential in improving the yields, providing

new techniques and conserving scarce water

resources.

Mushroom farming is being promoted to

improve livelihood of the communal

farmer.


BENEFITS OF MUSHROOMS

Land and excessive water are no limiting factor for production (viable option for a

country like Namibia)

Food: Rich in protein, vitamins and essential micronutrients such as iron, calcium, sodium,

potassium and phosphorus.

Medicinal value: Ganoderma in Namibia is traditionally used for the treatment of liver

problems, heart condition, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis and veterinary

applications

Source of income for rural communities: Individuals and SMEs to generate income.

High production on substrates: Ability to grow on substrates which are byproducts of other

agricultural processes.

INTRODUCTION

Brief on SANUMARC Main focus

Evaluation of mushroom species for culture

Evaluation of locally available substates

Field testing different types of substrate and

sterilization systems

Evaluation of different mushroom houses

The inoculation of a growth medium such as

agar plate

Mushroom Research and Activities in Namibia

INTRODUCTION

Brief on SANUMARC Main focus

Inoculation and mycelia colonisation of a small

volume of substrate (such as grain) in a

propagation bottle;

The amplification of mycelia colonisation of a

substrate (such as straw) in a production scale

bag,

Final production of a number of fruiting

mushroom flushes

Medicinal properties of the Ganoderma

mushroom


INTRODUCTION

Brief on SANUMARC Recent research activities


Gel electrophoresis of the amplified rDNA internal transcribed sequence 18S region of the Ganoderma species Kandhila-Muandingi (2011)

Ganoderma Mushrooms Ganoderma is an indigenous mushroom in Namibia will has over the years been used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments Survey information revealed that Ganoderma species have various

traditional uses - treatment of liver problems, heart condition, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis and veterinary applications .

The study revealed that there are four species of Ganoderma in Namibia namely; G. lucidum, G. tsugae, G. neojaponicum and G. applanatum .

Genetic diversity of 1% was observed amongst the collected Ganoderma species from the two regions (Ohangwena and Oshana) of northern Namibia.

INTRODUCTION



Gel electrophoresis of the amplified rDNA internal transcribed sequence 18S region of the Ganoderma species Kandhila-Muandingi (2011)

Ganoderma Mushrooms Ganoderma is an indigenous mushroom in Namibia will has over the years been used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments Preliminary investigation has associated Ganoderma with boosting

immune systems in HIV infected persons Plans are underway for detail phytochemical studies on this

mushroom

INTRODUCTION



Determination of the optimal ratio of seaweed Laminaria to maize straw that will support the highest yield of oyster mushroom. 1: 9 (Laminaria to straw) was the optimum ratio, because it yielded the

highest amount of mushrooms. At 1:3 no mushroom were produced, due to the high salts

concentration in the Laminaria which inhibited the pinning of fruit bodies.

INTRODUCTION



Effects of iodine on the vegetative phase of oyster mushrooms. A mixture of grass and crushed maize cobs 1: 1 were used as substrate

in the experiment. The results showed that the high iodine concentration lengthened the

incubation period for the vegetative phase of the oyster mushroom which in turn delayed progress to the fruiting phase

Determination of bio-efficient of different organic substrate used for the cultivation of button mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii The study revealed that sunflower stalk was more efficient because it

produced the most mushrooms.

INTRODUCTION



Adaptability and performance of Agaricus species (Agaricus bisporus: 096,

Agaricus bisporus: 097 and Agaricus birtoquis: WM7300 ) spawn on different

grain substrates of whole wheat grain (a), whole sorghum grain (b) and whole

rice grain (c).

Sample bottles containing mycelia of Agaricus birtoquis and A. bisporus

strain 096 & 097 colonising (a) whole wheat grain, (b) whole sorghum

grain and (c) whole rice grain.

a b c

INTRODUCTION



Adaptability and performance of Agaricus species (Agaricus bisporus: 096,

Agaricus bisporus: 097 and Agaricus birtoquis: WM7300 ) spawn on different

grain substrates of whole wheat grain (a), whole sorghum grain (b) and whole

rice grain (c).

0

20

40

60

80

100

8 12 16 20 24 28 32

Mycelia g

row

th (

mm

)

Days of colonization

0

20

40

60

80

100

8 12 16 20 24 28 32

Myceli

a g

row

th (

mm

)


0

20

40

60

80

100

8 12 16 20 24 28 32

Mycelia g

row

th (

mm

)


SAB097 SAB096 SM7300

a b c

Mycelia growth of Agaricus species (Agaricus bisporus: 096, Agaricus bisporus: 097 and Agaricus birtoquis) on

different cellulosic substrates of whole wheat grain (a), whole sorghum grain (b) and whole rice grain (c).

Community activities

Trainees posing with facilitators in Katima Mulilo, North east of Namibia © Martha Hausiku, 2010

Fruiting bag of oyster mushroom at Unam, Main campus, Windhoek © Martha Hausiku, 2010

Advocacy and awareness creation

Promotion of mushroom production

Train farmers on production skills

Support mushroom spawn production

Develop farmers’ marketing skills and

facilitate linkages of farmers to

markets.

Value addition of medicinal

mushrooms

Project Management

Trainees are encouraged and assisted in establishing community projects


MUSHROOM HOUSE

constructed from local materials such as thatching grass on the roof , bricks wall and corrugated iron sheet used as a door. Moisture retention and ventilation are the most important aspects of a mushroom house

Mushroom house at Okaku at the north of Namibia ©Kadhila-Muandingi 2004

Clay mushroom house at SANUMARC ©Kaspar Shimooshili, 2011

Clay house used as a fruiting house for oyster mushrooms cultivated at SANUMARC. It was constructed from clay bricks and wood. The windows allow air circulation and humidity while the black plastic on the roof was adopted for insulation



G. lucidum mushroom house at Unam, main campus ©Kadhila-Muandingi,2011

Fruiting Room The fruiting room was constructed specifically for growing Ganoderma species. The G. lucidum fruits being cultivated will be processed into tea and capsules for immune boosting.

Construction of a mushroom Technology Park is underway to be funded by SANBIO/NEPAD



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Mushroom Research and Community Activities