Itera develops mushroom biodiversity research center in Sumatera

Bandarlampung (ANTARA) -

Sumatera Institute of Technology (Itera) has developed a mushroom garden as part of its botanical garden area in Lampung to support education, research, and conservation of Indonesia’s biodiversity.

Itera's Rector Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Pugeg Aryantha said the mushroom garden is an innovation aimed at introducing fungi to the public while supporting biodiversity conservation.

"The existence of this garden is one of Itera’s flagship innovations in introducing fungi to the public while supporting the preservation of Indonesia’s biodiversity," Aryantha said during the inauguration of the Itera Mushroom Garden in Lampung on Friday (June 19).

He explained the campus' facility is designed not only as a collection area, but also as an educational space highlighting the ecological importance of fungi in tropical forest ecosystems.

Fungi, he said, are often overlooked despite their vital role as decomposers that break down decaying wood and leaf litter, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting the sustainability of plants and wildlife.

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The Itera Mushroom Garden currently hosts dozens of fungi species collected from across Sumatera, particularly Lampung.

Species include edible wood ear mushrooms, Ganoderma used in traditional medicine, and the unusual king alfred’s cake, also known as coal fungus which can be used as a fire starter when dried.

The collections grow on natural substrates, such as decaying wood and leaf litter, allowing visitors to study their habitats and characteristics directly. Fungi also plays an important role in symbiotic relationships with plants through mycorrhizae.

"This relationship helps plant roots absorb water and nutrients more efficiently, thereby supporting forest ecosystem productivity and health," Aryantha said.

He added the Itera Mushroom Garden is expected to become an educational platform to raise public awareness of fungi as a key part of Indonesia’s biological resources.

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Translator: Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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