Diversity of wild mushrooms from Jammu and Kashmir (India).

Abstract

Jammu and Kashmir state is stretched between 32°17'-37°03' N latitude and 72°03'-80°20' E longitude, and covers a total area of 222,235 km², with an average annual rainfall between 60-80 cm. It is bordered to the north and east by the main Himalayan ranges and Punjab plains to the south. The state exhibits varied climatic and topographic conditions and provide pleasant environment for the lavish growth of diverse group of plants. However, information on the species of wild mushrooms from this state is limited. In this backdrop, a systematic study of wild mushroom diversity from various locations of Jammu and Kashmir was undertaken. During the course of intensive field research over the last four-five years in the forests of some regions of the state, the authors collected a number of wild mushrooms belonging to Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Gasteromycetes. During survey, it has also been noticed that the state has the largest concentration of forest dwellers, comprising of about one-fourth of the population of the state. Several tribes and villagers subsist largely on non-traditional and wild food sources especially wild edible mushrooms. Keeping this in view, the ethnomycological information related to these fungi was gathered from several tribal men and women, village heads, and other local informants as well as ayurvedic hakims in order to gain better understanding of the relationship between the fungi, the local people, and the economy. Collection was mainly concentrated in the dense coniferous and mixed forest of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don, Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jackson, Picea smithiana (Wallich.)Boiss. Abies pindrow Royle, Quercus sp. L., Juglans regia L., Alnus nepalensis D.Don, Ulmus wallichiana Planch. etc. Standard methods of collection, preservation and identification have been followed.