TERMITOMYCES R. HEIM (TRICHOLOMATACEAE) IN NEPAL: DIVERSITY, NUTRIENTS AND GROWTH

Abstract

The termitophilous fungi are a monophyletic group of tropical gilled mushrooms belonging to the single genus Termitomyce R. Heim of the family Tricholomataceae under the class Basidiomycetes. These are good source of food and medicine. Nepalese mycoflora has been less explored compared to vascular plants. Therefore, exploration and documentation of these valuable mushrooms are highly imperative to understand diversity, distribution and their role in human welfare. Furthermore, studies on the pattern and conditions of growth, pattern of local uses and interaction between fungi and environment for the production of phytochemicals are prerequisite to develop conservation strategy and future potentiality of such mushrooms. The present work is mainly focused on three different aspects; systematics and distribution pattern, nutrient content and myceliall growth pattern of termitophilous mushrooms of Nepal. The field study was carried out during the year 2010-2012 throughout the country from tropical to temperate climatic regions up to the altitude 3000m asl.