Morchella esculenta (Guchhi): Need for scientific intervention for its cultivation in Central Himalaya

Abstract

Morchella esculenta is an important mushroom belonging to the family Helvellaceae and is locally known as Guchhi. It is found in the forest between 1800 and 3600 masl and is locally sold to middlemen and traders at Rs 5000 per kg. It is cooked as food and used in medicine and health care system by the traditional societies and also considered important for clinical use. It is noticed that the local people set the ground on fire assuming that such a practice will improve its yield but it may have negative impact on forest biodiversity and ecosystem services. Therefore, the present article suggests that in-depth scientific studies are required on this precious species to provide package of practices for its large-scale cultivation.