A preliminary study on macrofungal diversity in an arboretum and three plantations of the southwest coast of India

Abstract

This inventory focused on the diversity of macrofungi in an arboretum and three plantations (Acacia, Areca and cashew) of the southwest coast of India during monsoon (June?September) and early post-monsoon (October?November) seasons. A total of 79 macrofungi in 53 genera was recovered from 15,000 m2. The macrofungal species richness was higher in arboretum compared to plantations (30 vs. 17?22 species). The highest number of macrofungi were confined to the arboretum than the plantations (25 vs. 14?21 species), so also the core-group species (≥10 sporocarps/quadrat) (9 vs. 2?6 species). The richness of species as well as sporocarps were highest during June and decreased towards November. The macrofungal diversity was highest in Areca plantation and during monsoon period (August/September). Low species similarity was seen between the arobretum and plantations (0?12.8%), while the similarity increased from June through November (3.6?42.9%). About 50% of macrofungi possess economic value as ectomycorrhizal (25 species), edible (17 species) and medicinal (10 species). This survey revealed the macrofungal dependence on type of location and vegetation gives scope for their beneficial management