Mushrooms and Ectomycorrhizal Diversity in Sal Forests of North West India. 2025. illus. X,263 p. gr8vo. Hardcover.

Sal = Shorea Robusta

This book presents a comprehensive and richly illustrated account of macrofungal diversity - particularly lamellate agarics - and their ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations with Shorea robusta (Sal) in the ecologically significant Shiwalik region of North West India. Covering areas across Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the region is home to tropical moist deciduous forests, yet remains underexplored in terms of mushroom biodiversity. Based on a four-year monsoon-season field survey (2013-2016), this work fills a critical research gap by systematically documenting mushroom species and their symbiotic relationships with Sal trees. The book identifies and describes 50 agaric species from 11 genera: Agaricus, Amanita, Pholiota, Termitomyces, Asperoinocybe, Clarkeinda, Inocybe, Xerula, Lactarius, Lactifluus, and Russula. Each species is detailed with macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, simplified identification keys, morphological descriptions, camera lucida illustrations, and high-quality field and microphotographs - making this an essential reference for both academic and applied research. A major highlight of this volume is the first-ever detailed morpho-anatomical documentation of 22 ECM types directly associated with Sal roots, with Russula emerging as the dominant ECM genus. Most of these ECM species are reported for the first time as mycorrhizal partners of Sal.
The book’s significance extends beyond taxonomy. By documenting the fungal symbionts that support Sal forest health and productivity, it sheds light on the ecological roles of mushrooms in nutrient cycling, soil formation, and plant resilience under abiotic stress. These mutualistic associations have critical implications for forest management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forestry practices.
In addition, the book lays a scientific foundation for future molecular, proteomic, and metabolomic studies into ECM symbiosis, offering potential insights into the deeper biochemical and ecological dynamics within forest soils. This volume will serve as an invaluable resource for mycologists, ecologists, forest biologists, environmental managers, and students researching mushroom diversity, plant-microbe interactions, and tropical forest ecology. Beyond its contribution to scientific literature, it advocates for the inclusion of fungal biodiversity in conservation and restoration strategies for Sal forests-ecosystems vital to ecological stability and rural livelihoods across the Himalayan foothills.