Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
KA Nakate, SD Ambhure, PR Nakhate and PS Nakhate

Abstract:
The present investigation entitled “Biodiversity of mushroom flora of Mahabaleshwar, Koyananagar and Gaganbawada forests of Maharashtra" was carried out at Plant Pathology Section, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur. This survey was carried out with the object to study biodiversity of mushrooms in forests of Mahabaleshwar, Koyananagar and Gaganbawada to identify mushroom species on the basis of morphological characteristics. Collection of mushroom specimens was conducted during monsoon season, 2019. The survey was conducted in the forest area of Gaganbawada, Koyananagar and Mahabaleshwar for the collection of mushroom species during July to October (2019). Total 50 mushroom species was collected up to species level. The collected species has showed variations among their morphological characteristics i.e. pileus (diameter, colour, shape), stipe (attachment, colour, size and base), lamellae (gill colour, gill edge) and basal association, edibility and spore prints. Other characteristics include form of mushroom i.e. single, group or connate (united), smell of mushroom (pleasant or odd smell) and mushroom habitat i.e. on soil, grassland, dung, dead tree trunk or wooden stumps or on plant.