The present volume by the author is based on the outcome of extensive explorations in the Himalayas for more than a decade. It incorporates the original research findings along with that based on literature survey. It is intended to provide a comprehensive account of an important group of fungi which has a direct bearing on wood industry and forest ecosystem besides commercial application in bioremediation and pollution control. It is the first step in providing the mycologists with consolidated, systematically up-to-date and illustrative monograph of wood-rotting fungi of Himalayas. Every year the students of the post graduate colleges and universities particularly Indian sub-continent go in for fungal forays to collect fungi which forms part of their course curriculum. This book will serve as a field manual for identification. The book has more than 240 color photographs and 123 plates of camera lucida drawings covering all the fungi which have been reported till-to-date from the study area.

Climate Change in the Himalayas: Vulnerability and Resilience of Biodiversity and Forest Ecosystems explores and assesses issues affecting species survival in the rich forests of the Himalayan region. This book characterizes current biodiversity statuses, related ecosystem services, and provides new evidence and solutions for climate change effects on Himalayan animals and plants. Written by regional and international experts on climate change, ecosystems and the Himalayas, this book analyzes current species threats, loss of habitats, and carbon effects. It identifies critical areas requiring special attention and provides workable solutions for protection and ecosystem services. As many plant and animal species continue to be classified as extinct due to climate change, urbanization, and failing ecosystems, analyses and techniques in this book offer resolutions for sustaining current risks and curbing future risks. These can also be applied to other biodiverse, at-risk regions of the world. - Offers nature-based solutions, along with policy and governance measures, such as the application of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement - Provides mitigation and adaptation processes for current and future climate change impacts - Includes a focus on soil sustainability

This edited volume provides comprehensive and latest information on the fungal biodiversity in its morphological characters, bioactive molecules, pathogenicity and virulence, and its impacts on crop production and sustainable management of agricultural productivity towards resolving global food security issues. The increasing number of infectious fungal diseases are regarded as threats to agricultural productivity and global food security. The efforts done by scientists to inventories the fungal diversity and identification of fungal species contributing as pathogens towards many plant and human diseases have been compiled in the present volume. The identification of the potential fungal pathogens is a prerequisite for an effective disease control management program. Also important is to understand the complex interactions between the host-pathogen and the environment. The book dwells on insights on the aforementioned aspects. The book also includes articles on ecological significance of fungi and fungal antagonists used as biocontrol agents on other pathogens. This compilation is useful to scientists working in similar areas as well as to undergraduate and graduate students keen on getting updated information on the subject. Scientists involved in agricultural research, crop management, and industries that manufacture agrochemicals may also find it useful read.

Fungal natural products are among some of the earliest described sources of bioactive compounds. Basidiomycetes have been a prolific source of compounds, particularly as a source of antibiotics and antifungals. Despite advances in target-based and synthetic methods for drug discovery, natural products continue to be an important source of novel compounds. This book is a comprehensive guide to many important fungal species with a focus on their phytochemistry, potential sources of bioactive compounds, known chemistry and toxicology. This book is an ideal companion to researchers and postgraduates in phytochemistry and natural product pharmacology, and mycologists.

This book is a comprehensive guide to many important fungal species with a focus on their phytochemistry, potential sources of bioactive compounds, known chemistry and toxicology.

Indian mycologists have extensively studied various groups of fungi such as soil fungi, aquatic fungi, marine fungi, endophytic fungi, fungi associated with man and animals. Though several books on various aspects of fungi are published, this is the first account of the history and developments in mycology in India. It discusses at length various stages of development of mycology including both classical and biotechnological aspects. It begins with a historical account of Indian mycology, followed by a description of research on fossil fungi. Further chapters cover the latest updates on different taxonomic groups of fungi. A dedicated section describes the roles and applications of fungal endophytes. The book also includes research in other important areas such as mushrooms and wood rotting fungi. Different chapters are written by leading mycologists. This book is useful to students, teachers and researchers in botany, microbiology, biotechnology and life sciences, agriculture and industries using fungi to produce various valuable products.

Macrofungi have significant importance in human health, particularly in nutrition, medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and industries. They occupy a variety of ecosystems such as terrestrial (agricultural lands, forests and deserts), freshwater (bogs and marshes) and maritime (mangroves and coastal sand dunes) habitats. Their ecosystem services like nutrition (humans and animals), medicinal pursuits (antibiotics and pharmaceuticals) and bioremediation (degradation of xenobiotics and insect control) potential are dependent on their diversity and ecological conditions. Macrofungal ecology serves as the basis for nutraceutical values, agricultural benefits, plant productivity, environmental protection and industrially valued biocomposites. This book focuses on various aspects of macrofungal distribution in diverse habitats, participation in organic matter decomposition, ectomycorrhizal associations and participation in biogeochemical cycles. This book reviews the current developments in macrofungal ecology in different habitats and their benefits. Due to the topics dealt with on macrofungal diversity, distribution, dynamics, lifestyles, ecosystem or substrate preferences and ecosystem services, this book is valuable to mycologists, botanists, zoologists, ecologists, foresters, geneticists, agronomists and field biologists.

This edited book cover over 200 mushrooms with detailed profiles of all the species. Each profile includes information on macro-morphology, molecular characterization, application and a color photograph of the same. Gujarat mushrooms gives a complete idea of mushrooms found in Gujarat, there morphological identification, molecular barcoding and documented applications. Data presented on mushrooms spans collections of three consecutive years. The collected mushrooms were identified morphologically as well as at the molecular level using ITS as a marker. 942 specimens covering 316 species were submitted to BOLD. Of these the macrofungal diversity covered around 200 species. Some of the collected mushrooms were not only edible but were found to have nutraceutical as well as industrial value. Although the mushrooms collected are from Gujarat region only they are reported from different areas around the globe. Hence the proposed book will be useful not only regionally but across countries as well. Mushrooom is a macro fungus with a distinct fruiting body. Wild mushrooms have a significant biological and economic impact. The texture and pleasant flavor of certain mushrooms make them a delicacy for mankind. Mushrooms have a very high medicinal value as well with several reports of anticancer properties of mushroom extracts. This book is a useful read for researchers and academicians interested in mushrooms.

Fungi enjoy great popularity in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnological applications. Recent advances in the decipherment of whole fungal genomes promise an acceleration of these trends. This timely book links scientists from different parts of the world who are interested in the molecular identification of fungi combined with the exploration of the fungal biodiversity in different ecosystems. It provides a compendium for scientists who rely on a rapid and reliable detection of fungal specimens in environmental as well as clinical resources in order to ensure the benefit of industrial and clinical applications. Chapters focus on the opportunities and limits of the molecular marker-mediated identification of fungi. Various methods, procedures and strategies are outlined. Furthermore, the book offers an update of the current progress in the development of fungal molecular techniques, and draws attention to potential and associated problems, as well as integrating theory and practice.

These chapters provide up-to-date information on nematophagous fungi, particularly those of the Orbiliaceae in Ascomycota, whose asexual states produce nematode-trapping devices. The authors consider fungal-nematode interactions, fossil fungi, the biodiversity, ecology and geographical distribution of nematode-trapping fungi, and their potential use in biocontrol of nematodes, all in detail. Nematode-trapping fungi with adhesive or mechanical hyphal traps are the main focus of this book which begins with an overview of the data on nematode-trapping fungi, including their taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution. Subsequent chapters expand upon the methods and techniques used to study these fascinating fungi. Keys for genera of Arthrobotrys, Drechslerella and Dactylellina, which include all reported species of predatory orbiliaceous fungi are presented and numerous species from these genera are morphologically described and illustrated. The ecology of nematode-trapping fungi is expertly presented: their occurrence and habitats, their geographical and seasonal distribution and the effects of soil conditions and nematode density on their distribution all feature amongst the relevant themes. Further chapters examine the use of nematode-trapping fungi in biological control and the authors consider nematicidal activities in detail, exploring the many compounds from fungi that feature in nematicidal activities and of course useful paths for further study on this topic. This is a highly informative and carefully presented book, providing scientific insight for scholars with an interest in fungi and in biological control of nematodes.