Rugda Mushroom:
Rugda mushroom which is an important non-timber forest produce providing seasonal income for many tribal households in forested villages of Jharkhand.
- Rugda Mushroom is a wild, edible subterranean fungus.
- It is scientifically known as Astraeus hygrometricus or Astraeus asiaticus.
- It is commonly foraged by tribal communities in eastern and central India.
- It is highly prized across the Chhotanagpur Plateau, particularly in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal
- It appears beneath the forest floor after the first monsoon showers and is hand-foraged for only a few weeks each year.
- It survives in a natural partnership with the roots of sal trees, exchanging nutrients through an underground fungal network. Scientists call this an ectomycorrhizal relationship.
- Ideal Condition for Growth:
- It relies heavily on the monsoon for growth.
- Ideal conditions include high rainfall (around 350 cm), ample sunlight, and temperatures near 30°C.
- The fallen Sal leaves decompose over time to form a nutrient-rich humus layer.
- This layer is a dark, organic part of the soil that is high in moisture and essential nutrients, creating an environment that supports the healthy growth of these mushrooms.
