Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Morels (Morchella Species) Habitat in Mankial Valley, District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Ecological information on micro fungi is adequately but ecology of macro fungi in over-all has got minimum concentration from mycologists. The morels (Morchella species) are usually well-known as spongy mushroom belongs to genus Morchella and phylum Ascomycota. They are widely recognized as wild edible fungi. The information on ecology of morels in the study area may be data deficient or few studies may have been conducted. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess physical and chemical characteristics of morels habitat. Soil samples were collected from 10plotslaid down in various habitats of Morchella species. Five species of Morchella species include Morchella esculenta Fr., MorchelladeliciosaFr., MorchellaconicaPers., MorchellasemiliberaDC.,Morchella rotunda (Pers) Bound., grow naturally and plentifully, and their physical properties (Soil cover and texture, soil temperature, air temperature, % Relative humidity, altitude, Soil PH, water holding capacity, organic matter, Lime, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Soluble Salt) and chemical properties (Nitrogen, Phosphorus. Potassium) were determined.It was found that Morchellaspecies growth needed a soil that was slightly or moderatelyalkaline (pH 4.7 to 6.9) having soil temperature4 ⁰C to 5.5 ⁰C, air temperature 15.8 ^oC to 17.3 ^oC, % relative humidity 70% to 70.62%, altitude 2054 to 2835 meter, water holding capacity 23.4% to 29.2%,organic matter 1.79% to 2.41% , electric conductivity 0.04 to 0.2, total soluble salt 0.013 to 0.064, Nitrogen 0.09% to 0.12%, Phosphorus 4.2% to 14.6%, Potassium 1.36% to 8.28% and Calcium 3.25 % to 4.0%. The soil of the study area is rich in nutrients, elements and climatic conditions, are favorable for the growth morels thus support these five species of morels.