Diversity and Ethno-Mycological Importance of Mushrooms from Western Himalayas, Kashmir.

Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) are economically significant and used in traditional medicines worldwide. The region of Jammu and Kashmir (Western Himalayas) is enriched with the diversity of edible mushrooms, collected by the rural people for food and income generation. This is the first detailed study on diversity and ethno-medicinal uses of mushrooms from the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: Consecutive surveys were conducted to record ethno-mycological diversity and socio-economic importance of wild edible mushrooms value chain in rural areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir during 2015-2020. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire having a set of questions on indigenous mycological knowledge and collection and retailing of wild edible mushrooms. A total of 923 informants from the study area provided results identifying the gender, type of mushroom species, medicinal uses, and marketing of mushrooms. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also applied to the data set to analyse the relationship between species distribution, the underlying environmental factors and habitat types. PCA identified the major species specific to the sites and put them close to the sites of distribution.Results: A total of 131 mushroom species were collected and identified during 2015-2020 from the study area. One hundred and one species of mushrooms were reported new to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The dominant mushroom family was Russullaceae with 23 species followed by Agaricaceae, 16 species. Major mushroom species identified and grouped by the PCA were Coprinus comatus, Lactarius sangufulus, Amanita fulva, Armillaria gallica, Lycoperdon perlatum, Lycoperdon pyriforme, and Russula creminicolor. Sparassis crispa, Pleurotus sp and Laetiporus sulphurous were recorded most edible and medicinally significant fungi. Morels were the most expensive and medicinally important among all harvested macro-fungal species. These were reported to use against the common ailments and various health problems. Conclusions: Collection and retailing of WEM contribute to improve the socioeconomic status, providing alternative employment and food security to rural people of the area. These mushrooms are used as a source of food and traditional medicines among the rural informants and could be used a potential source of antibacterial and anticancer drugs in future.