They absorb their nourishment, primarily carbohydrates, directly from dead or alive plants and animals and known as saprophytes. Fine cottony threads called hyphae that are networked in to a cobweb, termed mycelium facilitate the absorption. This vegetative part of the fungus lies beneath the soil, lasting from months to millennia, depending on resource supply etc. Under suitable environment, myceliu produces mushrooms i.e. sporophores annually that shade the spores that are wind dispersed and ultimately generate mycelium. Due to good dispersal ability and durability, fungi inhabit soil, animals, leaves, tree trunk, symbiotically or as parasites.
Fungi are crucial in the terrestrial ecosystem, as dominant decomposers.
Plant debris that is rich in lignin, would not yield to even bacteria, is broken down by fungal enzymes. They have application in paper and pulp industries, fruit juice industry, waste-water treatment, textile industry, bakery products, food and feed industry etc. Some mushrooms e.g. shiitake, Pleurotus, Auricularia, even serve as a medicine on several ailments, to reduce blood pressure, on diabetes, to reduce cholesterol etc. The mushrooms are also used for hallucination. Unfortunately, little is studied about ecology of these interesting and useful creatures in India, prompting us to undertake this study.