Studies on Macrofungal Diversity of Hamirpur Region Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Macrofungi are among mysterious life forms. These are higher fungi and produce visible fruiting bodies over the substrate while the mycelium remains hidden within the substratum (soil, wood, bark etc.). Most of these are important non-timber forest product as these are edible and medicinal, whereas some are inedible and poisonous. These play vital role in ecosystem. These are heteroptrophs and have saprophytic or parasitic mode of nutrition. These produce fruiting bodies (fleshy fungi, mushrooms, polyporoid fungi, cup fungi, jelly fungi and puffballs etc.) annually which can further be perennial. The fruiting bodies can be of various shapes, sizes and with unique colourations. The amount, duration and frequency of fruiting depend on the climatic conditions. The phenology and distribution of these fungi is drastically changing with the erratic change in climate all over the world. newlineMacrofungal diversity remains understudied over most of the parts of world including India. These contribute to about 10% to the total diversity of fungi. Only 16-41% of macrofungi have been described so far from all over the world. Earliest reports of macrofungi from Himachal Pradesh were made by Fries during 1821 to 1832. He explored macrofungi of North-Western Himalaya with particular emphasis to their diversity and distribution in Himachal Pradesh. After him a lot of researchers have contributed to diversity and distribution of macrofungi in Himachal Pradesh. The detailed review of published records from India and Himachal Pradesh revealed that only twenty two species of macrofungi were reported earlier from Hamirpur region. So the floristic studies were initiated to explore macrofungal wealth of Hamirpur region (Hamirpur district and surrounding area) of Himachal Pradesh during 2016 to 2019 with the following objectives: newline Collect macrofungi from different localities and substrates. newline Study morphology and anatomy of each specimen. newline Identify species and preserve specimens for future reference. newline Assess and document stat