Aneeqa Ghafoor, Amna Rana, Hira Arshad, Abdul Rehman Niazi
Morchella species are highly prized and sought after due to their numerous health benefits and high market value. In this research, two Morchella species werecollected and systematically characterized using the ITS region, which identified them as Morchella crassipes and Morchella palazonii . For the first time, both species were evaluated for cultivability in Pakistan and globally. Pine Extract Agar (PEA) proved to be the most efficient medium for culturing both species. Remarkably, M. crassipes exhibited notable sclerotia growth on PEA and Malt Extract Agar (MEA), a feature not observed in M. palazonii . Regarding temperature, M. crassipes showed optimal growth at 20°C, while M. palazonii thrived best at 25°C. The successful cultures on PEA were then used to evaluate spawn production. M. palazonii displayed rapid mycelial extension on sorghum grains, whereas M. crassipes grew best on wheat grains, with prominent sclerotia formation in all spawn trials. Reproductive potential was further tested, and notably, M. crassipes , when cultured on a substrate of soil and pine needles with an exogenous wheat grain bag at 20°C and 90% humidity, successfully produced one fruiting body. Although full and healthy fruiting was not achieved for both species, the findings pave the way for future research to overcome obstacles to successful reproductive growth.