Abstract

Preliminary Investigations on Diversity of Wood Rot Fungi in Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh

Author(s): Hem Chander*, Kirna Devi and Anupama Dogra

Wood rot fungiplay an important role in ecological nutrient cycling due to their ability to decompose lignified cells of coarse woody material through enzymatic action of lignocellulolytic enzymes. Keeping in view, the ecological and economic importance of wood rot fungi and in contrast to the insufficient data available on the geo-graphical distribution and diversity of wood rot fungi in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, the floristic investi-gations were initiated to describe and preserve the wood rot fungi of thisregion. During the present investigation, eight species of wood rot fungi have been recorded from the study area. Out of these eight species, one species viz. Daldinia concentrica (Bolt. ex Fr.) Ces & de Not., belongs to a genus (Daldinia Ces. & De Not.) of a family (Xylariaceae) of ascomycota, whereas other seven species viz. Auricularia auricula-judae (L.:Fr.) Schroet., Fomitopsis dochmia(Berk & Broome) Ryv., Hexagonia sulcata Berk., Polyporushirsutus Wulf. ex Fr., SchizophyllumcommuneFr.:Fr., Trametesgibbosa (Pers.:Fr.) Fr. and T. versicolour(L.:Fr.) Pilat , belong to six genera of four families (Auriculariaceae, Fomitopsidaceae, Polyporaceae and Schizophyllaceae) of basidiomycota. Seven species viz.Auricularia auricula-judae (L.:Fr.) Schroet.,Daldinia concentrica (Bolt. ex Fr.) Ces & de Not., Fomitopsis dochmia(Berk & Broome) Ryv., Hexagonia sulcata Berk., Polyporushirsutus Wulf. ex Fr. and Trametesgibbosa (Pers.:Fr.) Fr. and T. versicolour(L.:Fr.) Pilat have been recorded for the first time from the study area.

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