Ecological Requirements for Growth of Some Wild Edible Mushroom in Denizli, Turkey

Abstract Soil samples were collected from four different localities and habitats in Denizli province, Turkey, where six species of mushroom ( Agaricus langei, Lactarius salmonicolor, Morchella conica, Rhizopogon roseolus, Russula delica and Tricholoma terreum) grow naturally and plentifully, and which are known as the ‘home’ of these mushrooms, and their physical properties (soil reaction, salt, saturation, organic matter and lime) and chemical properties (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were determined. It was determined in our study that mushrooms needed suitable vegetation, elevation and temperature in order to grow plentifully in a given area. It was also established that mushroom variety was high in areas where plant variety was also high. In conclusion, it is thought that areas where mushrooms grow plentifully in the wild will be effective in protecting or bringing under cultivation various edible mushrooms which have their own characteristic habitat, climatic and soil conditions, and which are used as economic, food or medical resources, whether locally or more generally. Also, some mushroom species could be indicators of the environment where they are found or of the soils in which they grow.