Macrofungi in the lateritic scrub jungles of southwestern India

Abstract

A pilot study on macrofungi in scrub jungles (with and without fire-impact) in lateritic region of southwestern coast of India was carried out. Out of 11 species in 10 genera recovered, six and five species were confined to scrub jungle and fire-impacted scrub jungle, respectively. An ectomycorrhizal Amanita sp. was the most frequent in scrub jungle associated with exotic (Acacia auriculiformis and A. mangium) and plantation (Anacardium occidentale) trees. Based on traditional knowledge, it is a highly edible and nutritional delicacy in the coastal regions. Astraeus odoratus was another common ectomycorrhizal fungus in native trees Hopea ponga, which was recovered from the fire-impacted scrub jungle and is possibly edible. Edible termite mound mushroom Termitomyces striatus was also common in the fire-impacted scrub jungle. Chlorophyllum molybdites was the most frequent mushroom in the fire-impacted scrub jungle.

Keywords

• Diversity
• ectomycorrhizal fungi
• edible
• forest-fire
• lateritic soil
• macrofungi
• scrub jungle.