This research on the isolated and morphologically identification of fungi and bacteria in soils naturally colonized by wild mushroom Agaricus silverticus was carried out in the crop protection laboratory at the Rivers State University. Soil samples were collected from 4 different locations in Ogwe, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria: 3 sample sites from Obiahia kindred the mushroom colonized soils in its natural habitats and the fourth a control plot from Obiawom kindred where mushroom was not found. The experimental result significantly (P˂0.05) revealed the presence of six fungi genera: four mushroom inhibiting microbes namely Penicillium spp., Sclerotium spp., Mucor spp. and Aspergillus spp. in decreasing order from the control sites where Agaricus mushroom was not found and two other benefiting fungi genara: Yeast and Fusarium spp. from the Agaricus Mushroom colonized soils. However, fairly insignificant number (P>0.05) of Penicillium spp. was also recorded in site three of the Agaricus colonized soil habitat though overshadowed by the very high presence of Yeast. Similarly, six bacterial genera (Bacillus spp, Proteus spp, Micrococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp and Pseudomonas spp) were isolated and morphologically identified. It is note-worthy that Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. which enhances mycelia development and promote primordial differentiation were significantly present in Agaricus colonized soil samples and absent in control soils. This is the first trial report for the microbial assay of Agaricus silvaticus in Rivers State and Nigeria at large and will contribute to the artificial cultivation and management of edible wild mushroom Agaricus spp which is a dietary delicacy in Southern Nigeria and most African Countries.
Keywords: Agaricus silvaticus, fungi and bacteria in soil samples, mycelium, spawnand pin-head.
