Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(3): 2159-2166 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 3 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.903.247 Survey of Wild Edible Mushrooms in Champhai District, Mizoram, India Zarzoliana Ralte*, Sobita Simon and Abhilasha A. Lal Department of Plant Pathology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, (U.P), India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT K e yw or ds A survey was carried out to study the diversity of Macrofungi from the forest of Champhai, Mizoram, Northeast India. 17 (seventeen) species of Wild mushrooms, edible wild mushrooms were collected. The identified specimens were from Ethnic , Survey the families – Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, Boletaceae, Lyophyllaceae, Article Info Agaricaceae, Auriculariaceae, Marasmiaceae, Gomphaceae, Schizophyllaceae, Elaphomycetaceae. The species were identified based on Accepted: 15 February 2020 their morphology. The ethnic tribal people have extensive Available Online: ethnomycological knowledge based on which they collect and sell the 10 March 2020 edible ones. Introduction wild mushrooms are sold in local markets and are known to provide sustenance to the local The term mushrooms (macrofungi) or people and forest dwellers during the lean macromycetes are fleshy, spore- bearing period (rainy season)6. fruiting bodies of fungi, which typically appear above ground after rain1. Mushrooms Mizoram has a mycophilic society comprising producing prominent sporocarps are of ethnic tribe that have extensive traditional categorized as gilled fungi, bracket fungi, mycological knowledge. The varieties of wild coral fungi, jelly fungi, birds nest fungi and edible mushrooms consumed by the people puffballs2. They can be classified into three are harvested or collected from wild habitats basic ecological groups: mycorrhizal, and no efforts have been made to cultivate parasitic and saprophytic3. Numerous them for commercial sale7. However, a report varieties of edible mushrooms exist in nature on death happens annually because of with more than 1,100 species recorded so far4, mushroom poisoning due to lack of however, less than 25% are widely accepted knowledge. In this survey we have collected as food and only a few have attained the level wild mushrooms from the forest and locally of an item of commerce5. In North East India, available in the market. The present study was 2159 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(3): 2159-2166 therefore documenting the edibles mushroom The collection of specimens was also done to provide baseline data for these fungi so that from different markets in localities in order to future monitoring can be established and to gather information in regards to their place of explore for their bioprospection. occurrence. Materials and Methods Identification of the wild mushrooms specimens Study area The collected specimens were identified Champhai is a border town in Mizoram State, according to standard macroscopic in far North eastern India. It is the characteristics through consultation with headquarters of Champhai district, one of the appropriate literature and anatomical features eight districts in the state. It is located on the into accounts viz [Mata et al., 2010 and Indo-Myanmar border and is situated in a Verma et al., 2013) and standard manuals for strategically important location. Because of mushroom identification like this, it is the main business corridor for India www.mushroomexpert.com, www.mycokey. and Myanmar in the area. The area of com, mycobank.org and FungusID. Champhai is 3,185.83 square kilometres (1,230 sq mi). The average annual rainfall is The macroscopic characteristics such as 1,814 mm (71.4 in). shape, size and colour of basidiocarps were described from fresh specimens. Spore prints Champhai has a moderate climate. In winter, were also taken on a white paper to clarify the the temperature varies from 10 °C to 20 °C identification. and in summer, and between 15 °C and 30 °C in winter. Elevation from sea level at 1,678 m Results and Discussion (5,505 ft).a. The area comprises varied geographical features like agricultural plains, Species list hilly terrains & forests. The total forest cover of the district is 240832 hectares. Wild Species diversity of macrofungi is related to mushrooms were collected at four location particular habitats and ecosystem. It was from the forest of Hmunhmeltha, Mualkawi, found that environmental factors like light, Ngur and Zote. temperature and RH greatly influenced the growth and development of macrofungi. Collection and survey of wild mushrooms During this short period of time ( June- The survey was carried out for a short period August 2019) 17 edible wild mushrooms were of time in four selected sites viz. Mualkawi, collected. The identified specimens were from Zote, Hmunhmeltha and Ngur. The fleshy the families – Russulaceae (35%), fungi were collected from different habitats. Polyporaceae (5%), Boletaceae (5%), The different forests mentioned above are Lyophyllaceae (11%), Agaricaceae (5%), evergreen, coniferous and deciduous i.e Auriculariaceae (11%), Marasmiaceae (5%), mixed type of forests impregnated with Gomphaceae (5%), Schizophyllaceae (5%), decaying wood and rotting plant parts, termite Elaphomycetaceae (5%). The study revealed nest, cow dungs, leaf litters etc. The that in the small area study sites diversity is specimens were found attached to various extensively vast. substrata. 2160 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(3): 2159-2166 Species description Edible Mushrooms: A B C D E F C G H I J K L M N O P Q Photoplate 1: a) Elaphomyces anthracinus b) Russula subfragilliformis c) Russula virescens d) Russula cyanothoxa e) Exidia recisa f) Auricularia auricula-judae g) Boletus quercicola h) Lactarius piperatus i) Lactifluus corrugis j) Hypsizygus tessellatus k) Ramaria sp. l) Lentinus tigrinus m) Termitomyces heimii n) Russula nigricans o) Lentinula lateria p) Macrolepiota dolichaula q) Schizophyllum commune. Elaphomyces anthracinus dry, brittle, firm, white but soon partly pink, solid, becoming hollow. Spore print white. Irregularly globose, 2-5 cm, the thick outer Terrestial, myrcorrhizal with oak, pines and skin is brown to nearly black or purplish mainly found in coniferous forest. black and is smooth. The interior spore mass is grey and moist initially, drying out and Russula virescens trning purple- black as spores mature. Ectomycorrhizal, hypogeal (below the soil Cap 5-12 cm; round to convex when young, surface). becoming broadly convex to flat to uplifted with a shallow depression; dry; velvety; the Russula subfragilliformis surface soon cracking up into small patches. Gills attached to the stem or nearly free from Cap 5-10 cm broad, convex to nearly flat, it at maturity; close or crowded; white to often with a slightly sunken center, more or cream. Stem 3-9 cm long; 1.5- 3 cm thick; less smooth, red to pinkish red, dry but sticky brittle; dry; smooth; white. Flesh is white; and shiny when wet, incurved margin, brittle; thick; not changing when sliced. Spore unlined. Flesh white, thick, firm, brittle. Gills Print is White. Mycorrhizal with hardwoods almost distant, white to pale cream-yellow, (but collected it under conifers with no bruising and discoloring on exposure. Stem hardwoods nearby); growing alone or (stipe) 2-6 cm long, 1-2 cm long, thick, equal, gregariously. 2161 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(3): 2159-2166 Russula cyanothoxa Boletus quercicola Cap 4-15 cm; convex when young, becoming Cap is 4–9 cm; convex in the button stage, broadly convex to flat with a shallow becoming broadly convex to nearly flat; depression; dry or slightly moist; smooth, velvety, bald, light to dark orangish brown; pinkish purple to green or olive green--or with often somewhat paler toward the margin. Pore these and other shades mottled; the margin Surface is whitish and "stuffed" at first; usually not lined. Gills attached or slightly becoming pale yellow and eventually olive running down the stem; close or nearly yellow; not bruising; at maturity with 2–3 distant, white. Stem 5-11 cm long; 1-3 cm round pores per mm; tubes to 2 cm deep. thick; white, but occasionally flushed with Stem is 4–8 cm long; 2–3 cm thick; usually lilac; brittle; dry; smooth. Flesh is white, swollen and club-shaped, finely reticulate brittle and thick. Spore Print is white. brownish in colour. Flesh is white to brown, Mycorrhizal with hardwoods or conifers; firm and unchanging when sliced. growing alone, scattered, or gregariously. Mycorrhizal with conifers, especially spruces and reportedly occasionally with hardwoods; Exidia recisa growing alone, scattered, or gregariously. Individual fruiting bodies are 1–4.5 cm Lactarius piperatus across, but are typically clustered together to appear as a larger mass; gelatinous but fairly Cap 3-14cm, broadly convex, becoming flat, firm; lobed, with concave depressions shallowly depressed, dry, the margin even, separated by ridges; usually featuring a small bald, white or whitish, sometimes discoloring pseudostem—or at least attached more or less a little yellowish or brownish with age. Flesh centrally at a pinched point; dark brown, often white, thick, hard, sometimes discoloring with a purplish cast; bald; under surface dull yellowish with age. Milk (latex) copious, brown; blackening along the edges and ridges white, unchanging after exposure, or changing when dried out. Saprobic, growing on slowly to yellowish. Gills attached to the stem recently fallen hardwood sticks and branches or running slightly down it, very crowded, (especially on the wood of oaks). forking frequently, white becoming pale cream. Stalk 2-7 cm long, 1-2.5 cm thick, Auricularia auricula – judae white, more or less equal, or tapering a little to base. Spore print white to off white. Wavy and irregular; often more or less ear- Mycorrhizal with oaks and other hardwoods; shaped but sometimes oval, elliptical, cup- growing scattered, gregariously, or sometimes shaped, or irregular in outline; 2–5 cm across; in dense troops.