Ectomycorrhizal mushrooms: Their diversity, ecology and practical applications

Abstract

Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is formed by a large number of plants and fungi. It is an association of fungal mycelia and roots of plants, mostly woody trees. Ectomycorrhiza are formed by fungi like Russula, Lactarius, Boletus, Cantharellus, etc. Which are mostly common edible mushrooms. The trees which form ectomycorrhiza are Shorea, Pinus, etc. Ectomycorrhiza has been proved in at least 162 genera and more than 5400 species. Previous studies were based on morphology of ectomycorrhiza, but molecular data were lacking. However, relatively recently molecular studies and identification have confirmed ectomycorrhiza association of various fungi. These are formed by mostly members of Basidio- mycota and Ascomycota. The orders like Agaricales, Boletales, Pezizales, Helotiales, and Cantharellales include the largest number of ectomycorrhizal lineages. In tropical regions, trees belonging to Dipterocarpaceae and Caesal- piniaceae form most ectomycorrhiza. There are attempts to study ectomycorrhiza in India but are way behind the studies that are been conducted around the world. Some of the studies conducted in India are related to ectomycorrhizal mushroom diversity and synthesis but none on genomics, ecological, and physiological studies. This chapter discusses from the basics what are ectomycorrhiza and their ecology and also applied aspects of ectomycorrhiza.