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Editorial Board

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 1-11 (November 2024)                                                                                       

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/1-11

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROF. C.V. SUBRAMANIAN

N. Raaman

Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, Former Secretary & Former President of Mycological Society of India, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai - 600 025, India.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Prof. C.V. Subramanian (August 11, 1924 – February 5, 2016)

Late Professor Chirayathumadom Venkatachalaier Subramanian, affectionately referred to as CVS, was an internationally renowned and most distinguished mycologist of our country. Professor Subramanian was 'a complete mycologist'. His knowledge of fungi extended much beyond the Hyphomycetes. He was one of the first to grasp the importance of 'diversity' studies in different ecological habitats and apply these in systematics of fungi. Late Professor Subramanian’s academic distinctions to the growth of science of Mycology have been recognized both in India and abroad. In 2005, the then Director of CMI, Prof. Hawksworth referred to Prof. CVS as “The Uncontested Father of Mycology”. 

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 12-29 (November 2024)                                                                                       

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/12-29

Professor R.N. Kharwar

President, Mycological Society of India (2024)

Professor R.N. Kharwar

President, Mycological Society of India (2024)

R.N. Kharwar

Mycopathology and Microbial Technology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221 005, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                   

ABSTRACT

This review reveals about the shift from epiphytic to endophytic fungi based on works of my own and others, examining their ecological functions, diversity and potential applications in biotechnology. The epiphytic fungi colonize plant surface and play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and microbial diversity across the ecosystems while endophytic fungi live within the plant tissues, forming symbiotic relationships that can boost plant growth, resilience to stress and resistance to diseases. The research utilizes a comprehensive approach, combining the field observations, molecular methods, and ecological evaluations to contrast fungal populations in epiphytic and endophytic environments. The observations demonstrate unique patterns of fungal diversity, with certain species showing preferences for either space or nutrients. These findings have significant ecological implications, emphasizing the importance of comprehending fungal interactions with their host plant. Furthermore, the study identifies several fungal strains with promising biotechnological uses such as biological control agents and producers of bioactive compounds. This review not only deepens our knowledge of fungal ecology, but also showcases the potential of these organisms in sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. By examining the transition from surface to internal colonizers, the mentioned facts offer valuable insights into fungal biology and their roles in ecosystem processes and advancements in agricultural and pharma industries. 

Keywords: Endophytes, Epiphytes, Fungal diversity, Applications, Ecological aspects.

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 30-53 (November 2024)                                                                                   

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/30-53

Strain Improvement and Molecular Characterization of Mushrooms 

N. Raaman* and P. Selvakumar

Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai - 600 025, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 1, 2024; Accepted on September 1, 2024)

ABSTRACT

Mushrooms are valued as highly tasty and nutritional food and considered to be a rich source of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Therefore, mushrooms are called as functional food. The breeding of new strains has significantly improved, allowing the use of strains with high yield, quality, texture, colour and taste, increasing productivity and diminishing the use of chemicals for pest control. Strain improvement of mushroom species thus far has been based on conventional breeding methods. However, breeding of improved strains by conventional methods is a labour intensive and time-consuming procedure. Hence, the protoplast fusion has been used as a method to create mushroom hybrids, especially when using conventional methods cannot achieve this result. This technique opened up an new area of study, which has both fundamental and applied importance. Protoplast fusion is an appropriate method in creating hybrids of interspecific hybridization in mushrooms Strain improvement is one of the important methods in mushroom technology to improve its potential towards industrial and pharmaceutical point of view. The protoplast fusion is potentially important technique for genetic manipulation of industrially important fungi, obtaining valuable hybrids with disease resistance and for production of quality products in cultivated plants in agriculture. Combinations of desirable traits are possible in recent days through protoplast fusion.

Key Words: Mushrooms, Strain improvement, Conventional techniques, Protoplast fusion, Isolation of viable fungal protoplast, Fusion methods of protoplast, Regeneration and reversion of protoplast, Molecular characterization

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 54-76 (November 2024)                                                                                 

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/54-76

Mushrooms in Service of the Society and the Environment

N.S. Atri

Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala - 147 002, Punjab, India.

Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 17, 2024; Accepted on September 10, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

Mushrooms are cosmopolitan and epigeous or even hypogeous. They produce varied morphological forms which grow either solitary or scattered to gregarious or in cespitose clusters on variety of substrates and some may even form fairy rings as well. Ecological parameters such as soil type, pH, relative humidity, temperature, altitude, association with trees, specificity, geographical coordinates, etc., play a determinate role in mushroom growth, phenology and their distribution. These are categorized as minor forest products having number of applications as for their utility in human welfare is concerned. Besides their nutritional and nutraceutical importance, they are a source of revenue and provide opportunities for the entrepreneurs to venture into the area of cultivation of nutritionally and medicinally important mushrooms and explore opportunities in value addition as a source of revenue generation. Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus spp., Volvariella volvacea, Calocybe indica are some such mushrooms which are being cultivated on commercial scale and are in use for value addition as well. There are number of them including Cordyceps militaris, C. sinensis, Morchella esculenta, Termitomyces heimii, Coprinus comatus, Podaxis pistillaris, Phellorinia inquinens, etc., which are collected from the wild and sold in the local markets for earning extra revenue or even dried for use in the off season. Mushrooms have been in use since times immemorial as folk medicine. Many of these including Cordyceps militaris, C. sinensis, Grifola frondosa, Tramates versicolor, Gandoderma lucidum, Psilocybe mexicana, etc., are important source of bioactive molecules having applications in therapeutics. Many of the mushrooms are saprophytic which play an important role in recycling the organic wastes and some are mycorrhizal, which help in improving the health of the plants by forming mutualistic association. Other important aspects where mushroom mycelia and their sporophores have found applications include bioremediation, mycofiltration, as objects of beauty and mystique, in the synthesis of building and packaging material, in the preparation of cosmeceuticals or nutricosmetics and as a source of natural colors. Because of such wide range of applications mushrooms are referred as special creation of God.

Keywords: Mushrooms, Nutritional, Nutraceutical, Bioactive compounds, Mycorrhizal, Lectins, Nanoparticle, Bioremediation, Biotransformation, Mycofiltration, Biocomposite.

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 77-83 (November 2024)                                                                                    

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/77-83

Halophilic Aspergillus penicillioides - a Specialist Group of Fungus and its Morphological Adaptations in Hypersaline Environments

Valerie Gonsalves*¹ and Sarita W. Nazareth²

¹Department of Microbiology, St. Xavier’s College, Goa, India.

² Retired Senior Professor, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on July 7, 2024; Accepted on September 10, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

Halophilic fungi undergo various changes that enable them to adapt to osmotic pressure as well as toxicity of salt in the environment. Although several studies have been investigated on osmoadaptations of halophilic fungi to saline conditions, there are few reports on analysis of the fungal mechanisms occurring at micro and macro morphological levels that enable fungi to survive in saline environments. The current work reports the effects of salt on colony growth and micromorphology in obligate Aspergillus penicillioides and its mechanism of survival in saline environments. 

Keywords: Aspergillus penicillioides, Obligate halophile, Colony, Micromorphology, Specialist fungus.

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 84-92 (November 2024)                                                                                    

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/84-92

Effects of Physicochemical Factors on Vegetative Growth of Lentinus cladopus - A Wild Edible Mushroom

Lata¹ and Gaurav Bhakri^2*

¹Department of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater  Noida - 201 308, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

²Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Sharda School of Basic Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater  Noida - 201 308, Uttar Pradesh, India.

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on August 31, 2024; Accepted on September 22, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

Lentinus cladopus Lév is an edible lignicolous mushroom which was collected from the wild and subsequently cultured with a view to investigate the effect of variable temperatures, incubation period, pH and different carbon and nitrogen sources for maximum mycelia growth.  During the investigations undertaken optimum temperature of 30±1 °C, incubation period of 10 days and pH ranging between 4.0-5.0. Dextrose amongst the carbon sources and Glycine amongst the nitrogen sources were found to support maximum vegetative growth. 

Keywords: Lentinus cladopus, Incubation period, Vegetative growth, pH, Carbon sources, Nitrogen sources.

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 93-106 (November 2024)                                                                                        

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/93-106

Perspectives of Yeast, Molds and Mushrooms as Pro and Prebiotics for the Improvement of Gut Health and Microbiome: A Review

Devaraja Gayathri*, Rajanna Soundarya, G.S. Shwetha and S.M. Pruthvi

Department of Studies in Microbiology, Davangere University, Shivagangothri, SH-76, Davangere - 577 007, Karnataka State, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on June 21, 2024; Accepted on 25 September, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

Probiotics are diverse live microorganisms (including bacteria, yeasts and molds) that confer good number of health promoting activities to the host when ingested in adequate amount. Functional foods are fortified with these probiotics and have improved human health in addition to the therapeutic applications. In addition to Lactobacilli and Bifdobacteria, good number of yeast, molds and mushrooms act as pre and probiotics and thus help in health promotion. The ability to survive in the gastrointestinal tract, salt tolerance and adherence to intestinal epithelial cells, co/auto aggregation are the few prerequisites to be probiotics. In this review, we emphasise and promote the use of fungal strains (yeasts, mold and mushroom) as pre and probiotics for immunomodulatory effects and for functional properties. Thus, fungal species would be promising candidate as pre/probiotic strains.

Key words: Saccharomyces, Aspergillus oryzae, Inulin, Fructans, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, Mushrooms

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 107-118 (November 2024)                                                                                   

 DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/107-118

Epicoccum sorghinum as a Potential Source for Pigment Production

Pushpa, H.^1*, Saritha, M.¹, Vishal, M.,² and Savitha, J.³

^1*,2,3Department of Microbiology, M.S. Ramaiah college of Arts, Science and Commerce - Autonomous, Bengaluru - 560 064, Karnataka, India.

¹Podar International School, Beed - 431 122, Maharashtra, India. 

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on August 10, 2024; Accepted on October 7, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to screen pigment producing microorganisms from various sources. Three pigment-producing bacteria and 6 pigment producing fungi were isolated and characterized. Among the fungi, Epicoccum sorghinum was selected for further investigation due to the limited research on its pigment production and applications. Optimization of biomass and pigment production was investigated under various growth parameters. Our investigation revealed that pigment production was minimum at 35°C and maximum at 25°C, with optimal production at pH 7.0. Fructose and organic nitrogen were most suitable for mycelial growth and pigment production as a carbon and nitrogen source, respectively. Mutational studies on E. sorghinum were performed to observe changes of UV and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) treatments. These mutations altered the mycelium color from reddish-brown to yellowish-orange, and finally to albino, with a reduction in pigment yield above 37°C. The crude methanolic pigment extract was characterized using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thin-layer chromatography separation revealed yellow (Rf 0.52), orange (Rf 0.68), and red (Rf 0.75) spots, while GC-MS identified 2 compounds: 11-oxa-dispiro [4.0.4.1]undecan-1-ol (32.576%) and Tricyclo[2.2.1.0(2,6)]heptan-3-ol,4,5,5-trimethyl (67.424%). The pigment showed effective antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and strong antioxidant activity (IC50: 95μg/mL). As natural colorants, these pigments have potential applications in food, textile, leather dyeing, and pharmaceutical industries. However, more insights on pigment biosynthesis, downstream processes, and the physiological effects of these pigments has to be carried out. In conclusion, E. sorghinum is found to be a significant potential novel source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.

Keywords: Pigment production, Epicoccum sorghinum, Optimization, Antibacterial activity, Antioxidant properties, Natural colorants

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 119-124 (November 2024)                                                                   

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/119-124

Diversity of the Genus Stereum Hill ex Pers. from District Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh)

Ramandeep Kaur¹, Maninder Kaur², Avneet Pal Singh³* and Gurpaul Singh Dhingra³

¹Department of Botany, Baba Farid College, Bathinda - 151 001, Punjab, India.

²PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City - 152 002, Punjab, India.

³Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala - 147 002, Punjab, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on September 29, 2024; Accepted on October 10, 2024)

ABSTRACT

Genus Stereum Hill ex Pers. is being described for the first time from district Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. Based on the morpho-taxonomic investigations, five species namely, S. gausapatum, S. hirsutum, S. insignitum, S. ochraceoflavum and S. rugosum have been described and illustrated. In addition to, all five species being new to Sirmaur district, two species, Stereum insignitum and S. ochraceoflavum, are described as new records for India. 

Keywords: Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Himalaya, Wood rotting fungi, Taxonomy, Corticioid fungi

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 125-132 (November 2024)                                                              

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/125-132

Phylogenetic Insights and First Record of Auriculoscypha anacardiicola on Holigarna arnottiana from the Northern Western Ghats, India

Kunhiraman C. Rajeshkumar¹*^{, 2}, Shital Desai^{3, 4}, Parayelil A. Ansil¹, Abhishek A. Rane⁴, Kuniyil Harikrishnan¹, Sruthi O. Paraparath¹, Samantha C. Karunarathna⁵, Nakarin Suwannarach^6,7, Ajay Kumar Gautam⁸

¹Biodiversity and Palaeobiology (Fungi) Gr., MACS Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune - 411 004, Maharashtra, India. 

²Faculty of Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune - 411 007, Maharashtra, India.

³Discipline of Botany, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau - 403 206, Goa, India.

⁴Tropical Biodiversity Exploration Foundation, Vanoshi Forest Homestay, Kudase village, Sindhudurg - 416 511, Maharashtra, India.

⁵Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, Yunnan - 655 011, P.R. China.

⁶Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai -50200, Thailand.

⁷Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai - 50200, Thailand.

⁸Patanjali Herbal Research Department, Patanjali Research Institute, Haridwar - 249 405, Uttarakhand, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on September 24, 2024; Accepted on October 11, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

This study records Auriculoscypha anacardiicola on a new anacardiaceous host, Holigarna arnottiana for the first time from the Northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India. This enigmatic fungus has a triple tropical level symbiosis between fungus-insect-plants and is only found in the Western Ghats and adjacent habitats in India. Auriculoscypha anacardiicola is a basidiomycetous fungus associated with coccid scale insect, Neogreenia zeylanica and anacardiaceous trees, Anacardium occidentale and Mangifera indica. This fungus was previously documented from the Malabar region of Kerala, India. The phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) placed the basidiomycete from the new host allied to the existing strains in the Auriculoscypha clade of the order Septobasidiales, allied to the genus Septobasidium. This study extends the geographic occurrence of this genus from the south to the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra.

Keywords:  Coccid insect, New Host Record, Phylogeny, Phytoparasitism, Septobasidiales, Taxonomy

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 133-137 (November 2024)                                                                 

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/133-137

Morpho and Molecular Studies on Phellinotus badius from Tamil Nadu, India

Elangovan Arumugam, Sugantha Gunaseelan, Ramesh Murugadoss and Malarvizhi Kaliyaperumal^*

Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy campus, Chennai - 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding author Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on October 5, 2024; Accepted on October 14, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

Phellinotus, a pathogenic neotrophic fungi, inhabiting on living Fabaceae members. This study demonstrates the first report with molecular evidence of Phellinotus badius from Dindigul and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses inferred from combined ITS and LSU nrDNA region was carried out. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses placed the current isolates in Phellinotus badius clade. Taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of P. badius is discussed.

Keywords: Hymenochaetoid fungi, Phylogenetics, Styrylpyrone, Wood inhabiting fungi.

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 138-145 (November 2024)                                                                                 

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/138-145

A Review on Pycnoporus sanguineus Based Biotechnological Approaches for Bioremediation of Industrial Waste

Ithi Gupta, Sakshi Gautam, Surbhi Pandey, Rajendra Mehta and Bhaskar Chaurasia*

Department of Rural Technology and Social Development, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Koni - 495 009, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on August 28, 2024; Accepted on October 14, 2024) 

ABSTRACT 

The diverse uses of white rot fungi and their enzymes are becoming more and more popular nowadays in the decolorization of dyes, wastewater treatment and bleaching in paper industry. In this context, Pycnoporus sanguineus a polyporoid white rot species presents a promising solution due to the secretion of the ligninolytic enzymes such as laccases and peroxidases. These enzymes exhibit broad substrate specificity and are effective in degrading synthetic dyes and other persistent organic pollutants. The polyporoid fungus is particularly noted for its capability to decolorize and detoxify wastewater from industries such as textiles, leather, and paper, offering an eco-friendly alternative for wastewater treatment. The present review summarizes the uses of Pycnoporus sanguineus in the decolorization of dye, wastewater treatment, biodegradation and bleaching in paper industries.

Keywords: Pycnoporus sanguineus, Pharmaceutical waste water treatment, Dye decolorization, Environmental remediation

KAVAKA 60 Special Issue: 146-153 (November 2024)                                                                                  

DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/sp/2024/146-153

Check list of Tremellales and Clavariales from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

C.Manoharachary^1*, P.R. Sushama² and Mehtab Yasmeen²

¹Department of Botany, University Science College, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India.

²Department of Botany, Telangana Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Koti, Hyderabad, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on October 26, 2024; Accepted on November 15, 2024) 

ABSTRACT

Fungi are eukaryotic, achlorophyllous living organisms specifically having chitinous cell wall, absorptive nutrition and these characters raised them to the level of kingdom Mycota. The world of fungi is a fascinating field and a form of source of biological diversity and metabolites. Fungi have been studied since long times from India. Fungi belonging to zoosporic fungi, hyphomycetes and rust fungi have been worked out at length from Telangana state (TS) and Andhra Pradesh (AP), but very few studies are made on higher fungi and more so on Tremellales and Clavariales. In view of this, the authors have taken up the survey of the fungi belonging to the above groups and taxonomic account of ten such fungi is presented based on phenotypic and microscopic characters along with the key.

Key Words: Andhra Pradesh, Clavariales, Telangana, Tremellales.

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Title

Content

Editorial Board

KAVAKA 60(3): 1-6 (2024)                                                                         DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/1-6

Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus djamor) by Using Different Substrates in Laboratory Conditions

Sneha Dwivedi¹, Balwant Singh², Alok Kumar Singh^1* and Vinay Kumar Singh²

¹Laboratory of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Department of Botany, C.M.P. Degree College, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.

²Laboratory of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Department of Botany, K.S. Saket PG College, Dr. R.M.L. Avadh University Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India.

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on January 01, 2024; Accepted on August 06, 2024)

ABSTRACT

Pleurotus djamor (Oyster mushroom) is a type of fungus belonging to the class Basidiomycetes. It can be grown on different kinds of agricultural waste with high lignin and cellulosic contents. Mushroom production is a kind of sustainable development in which we use agricultural waste in mushroom production. On the other hand, agricultural waste left after mushroom production is used as compost. The main objective of this study was to see the production rate of mushrooms on different substrates. In the present study, different substrates like wheat straw alone, wheat straw with rice straw, wheat straw with leaves of Madhuca indica (mixed with 50%), wheat straw, with leaves of Azadirachta indica (mixed with 50%) were used as substrate was inoculated with Pleurotus djamor spawn and put it in the lab and maintained the temperature at 25 ± 3ºC and humidity at 80% for four weeks. It was observed that along with wheat and paddy, Pleurotus djamor can also be cultivated on the leaves of Madhuca spp. and Azadirachta spp. plants. The result shows the maximum yield on wheat straw. It is clear from the result that apart from wheat and paddy straw we can also grow oyster mushrooms on the waste leaves of forest trees. So, waste leaves can be used as an alternative substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus djamor. The choice of substrate is a critical factor influencing the yield, growth rate, and overall health of the mushroom.

          Key words: Pink Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus djamor, Growing Substrate, Mushroom Cultivation

KAVAKA 60(3): 7-25 (2024)                                                                     DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/7-25

Distribution and Diversity of AM Fungi in Selected Tree Species Growing in Semi-arid Forest of Gujarat, India

Milan M Chandarana* and Yogesh T Jasrai

Department of Botany, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat - 380 009, India.

*Department of Botany, Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth, Kangavi Road, Karanjveri, Dharampur – 396 051, Valsad, Gujarat, India.

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 22, 2024; Accepted on August 06, 2024)

ABSTRACT

The diversity and community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi from four forests (Kapadvanj, Satlasana, Vijaynagar, and Danta) belonging to the semi-arid region of Gujarat, India were investigated. 59 species of AM fungi belonging to six genera Acaulospora (11), Entrophospora (1), Gigaspora (5), Glomus (35), Pacispora (1) and Scutellospora (6) were recovered. The most dominant genus was Glomus in all selected sites, followed by Acaulospora. Weak and non-significant correlation was found between spore density and percent root colonization; percent root colonization and species richness, whereas positive correlation was found between spore density and species richness. Although lower value of Sorenson’s coefficient of similarity revealed less overlapping in species composition of AM fungi but general diversity and distribution of AM fungi showed little variation in all selected sites. We found strong positive correlation between isolation frequency and relative abundance of AM fungal species. Spore density and colonization by AM fungi highly varied in all selected sites and weak, non-significant correlation existed between them. Spore density, percent root colonization and species richness in Vijaynagar were significantly higher compared to Kapadvanj, Satlasana and Danta. Seventeen tree species representing 14 genera and 13 families were examined for AM fungal association from semi-arid forest of Gujarat. All plant species were potentially colonized by AM fungi. Large variation was found in spore density (44-1529/50 g dried soil), percent colonization (19.02-81.72%) and number of species recovered (8-22) in selected plants. We suggest that the high diversity of AM fungi was present in selected semi-arid forests of Gujarat, India and the plants growing in the semi-arid environment are highly dependent on AM fungal colonization.

         Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, Diversity, Gujarat, Root colonization, Spore density, Species richness, Semi-arid forest, Trees

KAVAKA 60(3): 26-33 (2024)                                                                       DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/26-33

Studies on Leaf and Fruit Diseases of Musa spp. Caused by Different Groups of Fungal Pathogens – A Review

Papan Chowhan, Debarati Das, Parimal Mandal and Arka Pratim Chakraborty^*

Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur - 733 134, West Bengal, India.

*Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on April 16, 2024; Accepted on August 28, 2024)

ABSTRACT

Banana is (Musa spp.) one of the most exoteric and materialistic fruit crops of many tropical and subtropical areas in India. It’s a large herbaceous plant believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and Papua, New Guinea. There are many varieties of bananas and undoubtedly, they are a good source of nutrient by providing soothing effect on the gut due to their high content of pectin, a soluble fibre which not only helps lower cholesterol but normalises bowel function. The high fibre content of bananas helps to promote feelings of fullness and appears to reduce bloating. Bananas have played a significant role in many cultures. Different diseases affect cultivation of Banana crop found in India. Among different diseases, banana crops are affected mostly by leaf and fruit diseases. This paper highlights about leaf and fruit diseases of Banana crop in India. The most common fungi causing leaf diseases of Banana are - Curvularia sp., Alternaria alternata, and Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Fruit diseases are- Fusarium oxysporum, F. semitectum, F. verticillioides, F. subglutinans, F. sambucinum, F. moniliforme, Colletotrichum musae, and Acremonium sp.. This paper is an attempt to review about the descriptions of the fungal leaf and fruit diseases, their symptoms, outward manifestations and consequences when the fungal pathogens infect the banana plants.

Keywords: Leaf diseases, Fruit diseases, Musa sp., Fungal pathogens

KAVAKA 60(3): 34-36 (2024)                                                                 DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/34-36

First Report of Puccinia noccae Arth. on Lagascea mollis Cav. from Eastern India

Malay Ghosh¹, Arindam Mandal^1*, and Asit Baran De²

¹Department of Botany, Bejoy Narayan Mahavidyalaya, Itachuna, Hooghly - 712 147, West Bengal, India.

²Department of Microbiology, University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan, Purba Bardhaman - 713 104, West Bengal, India.

*Corresponding Author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on April 26, 2024; Accepted on July 16, 2024)

ABSTRACT

During the survey of plant pathogenic fungi, in the state of West Bengal, India some infected plants of Lagascea mollis Cav. were collected from Kalipahari, West Bengal, India. The pathogen was studied in detail and its identification was confirmed as Puccinia noccae Arth. based on symptoms, host, and microscopic observation. A survey of literature and also the present study confirmed that it is the first report of Puccinia noccae Arth. both from the state of West Bengal and the eastern part of this country.

Keywords: Puccinia noccae, Lagascea mollis, New report, Eastern India, West Bengal

KAVAKA 60(3): 37-43 (2024)                                                                 DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/37-43

Unveiling the Hidden Star: Astraeus asiaticus in the Sal Forest of Chhattisgarh, India

Chandrahas Dewangan and Sushil Kumar Shahi*

Bio-resource Product Research laboratory, Department of Botany, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur (CG) - 495 009, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on May 03, 2024; Accepted on July 29, 2024)

ABSTRACT

This study unfolds the fascinating world of star-shaped fungi, focusing specifically on specimens collected from the Kondagaon forest, located in the southern region of Chhattisgarh, India. By adopting traditional wisdom on edible mushrooms with scientific rigor, the research sheds light on identifying Astraeus species. Using an integrated taxonomic approach, the investigation definitively confirms the collected specimen as belonging to the Astraeus asiaticus species. The main differentiating factors, particularly basidiospore size and other morpho-anatomical features enabled to distinguish A. asiaticus from closely related species. Conclusively, future studies could delve deeper into exploring the genetic structure, nutritional values and bioprospection potential of A. asiaticus populations across its geographic range.

Key words: Anatomy, Basidiomata, Basidiospore, Boletales, Epigeous, Morphology.

KAVAKA 60(3): 44-48 (2024)                                                                 DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/44-48

Additions to the Family Thelephoraceae from District Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh)

Ramandeep Kaur¹, Maninder Kaur², Ellu Ram³, Avneet Pal Singh^4* and Gurpaul Singh Dhingra⁴

^­1Department of Botany, Baba Farid College, Bathinda - 151 001, Punjab, India.

²PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozpur -  152002, Punjab, India.

³Department of Botany, Government College, Seraj, Lambathach - 175 048, Himachal Pradesh, India.

⁴Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala - 147 002, Punjab, India.

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on May 06, 2024; Accepted on August 07, 2024)

ABSTRACT

This paper describes five species (Psuedotomentella tristis, Tomentella greseoumbrina, T. pillati, T. puberula and T. scobinella) of corticioid fungi belonging to the family Thelephoraceae. All the five species are new records for district Sirmaur and one i.e. Tomentella pillati, is being described for the first time from India. 

   Keywords: Agaricomycetes, Himalaya, Wood rotting fungi, Diversity, Taxonomy, Hyphal system

KAVAKA 60(3): 49-54 (2024)                                                                 DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/49-54

Assessment of Andrographis paniculata Plant Extracts to Reduce Mycotoxin Contamination in Maize Seeds

Kumari Ragni, Khwaja Salahuddin* and Gajendra Prasad

^­Seed Pathology and Mycotoxin Laboratory, University Department of Botany, L.N. Mithila University, Darbhanga - 846 004, Bihar, India.

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on June 02, 2024; Accepted on August 19, 2024)

ABSTRACT

Environmental factors like soil, temperature, and pH influence the level of contamination in cereals. In this study fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and Fusarium spp. were recorded in all the samples of maize seeds.The range of kernel infection recorded by A. flavus was a maximum of 8.40% and a minimum of 4.20%. The production of aflatoxin B₁ in maize seeds was estimated in the range of 2.0 - 8.2 µg/ml. The inhibition of aflatoxin B₁ recorded was a maximum of 32.5% and a minimum of 8.5% in SMKY liquid media at 2.5 gm/ml and 0.5 gm/ml concentrations of Andrographis paniculata plant extracts, respectively. Similarly, the growth of A. flavus recorded was 47% (maximum) and 10% (minimum). The mycelial growth of A. flavus and Aflatoxin B₁ production were controlled by A. paniculata, whichis essential for the quality and quantity yield of maize seeds due to high population demands in our country.

 Key words: Aflatoxin B₁, Maize, Mycelium, Mycoflora, SMKY liquid medium,

KAVAKA 60(3): 55-58 (2024)                                                                 DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/55-58

Ganoderma ramosissimum J.D. Zhao, a New Record to South India from Kerala State

Geethu Mahesh¹, Abana Padma Pooja B.¹, Salu S.R.¹, Gayatri G.P.¹, Shyam Kumar S.¹, Sheeba M.S.¹, Anil Kumar A.K.¹, Manoj Kumar A.^1*

^­1Postgraduate and Research Department of Botany, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695 014, India.

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on June 06, 2024; Accepted on August 07, 2024)

ABSTRACT

Ganoderma ramosissimum J.D. Zhao, a species with laccate pileus and dichotomously branched stipe was collected from Kerala state, India and is described here based on macro-micro morphological characters. It is a new record to South India.

   Keywords: Agaricomycetes, Kerala, Polyporales, Taxonomy, White rot

KAVAKA 60(3): 59-67 (2024)                                                                 DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/59-67

Morphological Characterization of Powdery Mildew of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), in Two Agro-Climatic Regions of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Marbom Riba* and Tenya Rina

^­Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh - 791 112, India.

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on July 30, 2024; Accepted on August 28, 2024)

ABSTRACT

Pumpkin is an important vegetable crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. One of the most prevalent diseases common to pumpkin is powdery mildew, a widespread fungal disease leading to significant yield loss. To determine, the occurrence of powdery mildew disease and the morphology of the causal organism, a phytopathological survey was conducted in two agro-climatic regions namely: Ziro (1500 m) and Medo (250 m) in Arunachal Pradesh during October 2022. The mean temperature of Ziro and Medo ranged between 19-21℃ and 24-26℃ coupled with mean relative humidity ranging from 66-77 % and 90-96 % respectively. Occurrence of powdery mildew was encountered in open field conditions of both the sampling fields representing different agro-climatic zones. Microscopic study was performed to examine the anamorph and teleomorph of the causal organisms. Two types of conidial shapes were observed, three types of germ tubes were observed and the cleistothecia was observed at initial to mature stages. This morphological elucidation provided a convincible insight on presence of Podosphaera xanthii and Erysiphe cichoracearum as the causal organisms of powdery mildew of pumpkin in the natural field conditions of both the study sites ranging from subtropical to tropical Zones of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Keywords: Powdery mildew, Cucurbita moschata Duch., Anamorphs, Cleistothecia, Podosphaera xanthii, Erysiphe cichoracearum

KAVAKA 60(3): 68-75 (2024)                                                                DOI: 10.36460/Kavaka/60/3/2024/68-75

Study of Keratinophilic Fungi Isolated from Nagaur (Rajasthan, India) Soil

Nirmala Godara* and Seema Bhadauria

Medical Mycology and Biochemistry Lab, Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302004, Rajasthan, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on September 06, 2024; Accepted on September 29, 2024)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the presence of keratinophilic fungi in soil of Nagaur district of Rajasthan, India. Most of the people of Nagaur district of Rajasthan are involved in animal husbandry and farming, which make them prone to fungal infection due to soil contact. Rising incidents of skin-related fungal infections necessitate the study of the presence of keratinophilic fungi in the Nagaur district. In the present study, keratinophilic fungi were isolated using hair bait technique. In this technique, different hair baits were used such as pigeon feather, hen feather, human hair and goat hair. A total of 75 soil samples were collected from different areas of Nagaur district. Out of 75 soil samples, 52 samples were found positive for keratinophilic fungi. Most of them were isolated from soil with the pH range of 6-10. The results showed the presence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of Nagaur district which can pose risk to public health.

Keywords: Keratinophilic fungi, Pathogenic, Dermatophytes, Soil sample, pH.

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