Identification, characterization and cultivation of a wild strain of Ganoderma australe from Sikkim, India

Pure culture of Ganoderma species was isolated from wild forests of the eastern Himalaya, Sikkim, India. Macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular analysis, including ITS sequencing, confirmed the identity of the strain as Ganoderma australe (Fr.) Pat. The species are reported to have antimicrobial properties and potential bioactive compounds. The pure culture was used for spawn production in two different substrates (maize and wheat). For substrate preparation, different woods sawdust and rice straw was used as the base materials supplemented with cornmeal and wheat bran. Fructification was observed in all the substrate combination bags. G. australe has not been reported from the eastern Himalayan region of Sikkim. The present findings underscore the rich fungal biodiversity of Sikkim and also provide valuable insights into effective in vitro cultivation strategies of potential medicinal mushrooms.