INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS - India Environment Portal

Section XIV : Plant Sciences 13
by which they can be easily identified. But there is hardly any such feature that
separates M. esculanta and M. deliciosa, so that these have been often regarded
as a single species. However, the data of Gessner et al. (1981) on allelic variation
and segregation in these two species clearly points that these are two different
taxa. This data plus data of Hervey et. al. (1978) suggested that the potential for
gene exchange may be used as a means of discriminating taxa within the genus
Morechella. Therefore, similar studies are needed on the six traditional species and
that are they considered variants or have been described as new species in recent
times (M. rotunda, M. tibelica, M. umbrina and M. simlensis sp. nov.).
The polymorphism and genetic diversity in the species Morchella was
assessed at molecular level. The phlylogenetic tree (dendrogram) generated was
based on the data resulting from RAPD analysis. At 64% similarity coefficients, all
seven species were separated in seven different clusters. The resulting dendrogram
clustered Morchella species into two major groups; A and B at 15% similarity level
which are further divided into different sub-groups. The phylogenetic tree suggested
that the black morels –M. angusticeps, and M. conica (Group A) and yellow
morels –M. esculenta, M. deliciosa and M. crassipes (Group B) have been
reported to be separate taxonomic groups and were distantly related. The other two
species, M. tibelica and M. simlensis sp. nov. have also been categorized to these
respective groups. M. simlensis sp. no. has been more conspecific to yellow morels
(28% similarity level) and M. tibelica showed similarity to the black morels (24%
similarity level) There has been high degree of conspecific variability needs to be
checked between yellow morels i. e. yellow morels have been very less variable
intra specifically but black morels demonstrated high intra specific variability.
Similar studies as on morels were then extended to all the prominent nonconventional
edible mushrooms of the N. W. Himalayas. The studies have been
conducted on their taxonomy, ecology, physiology and nutritional requirements,
ethnic uses and analysis of nutritive components. (Sharma, 1993). Helvella crispa,
Gyromitra esculenta among members of Ascomycotina, Lactarius delicious, L.
sanguifluus, Macrolepiota procera and Russula brevipes among gilled members
and Boletus edulis, B. erythropus, B. hoarkii, Cantharellus cibarius, Hydnum
repandum, Ramaria botrytoides and Sparassis crispa among the non gilled
members of Basdiomycotina.
It has been observed that the protein values in these edible mushrooms are
higher than those reported for various vegetables. The fibre contents are also