Rugda Mushroom: Jharkhand’s Wild Monsoon Fungus Supports Tribal Livelihoods

Rugda Mushroom Latest News

Rugda mushroom which is an important non-timber forest produce providing seasonal income for many tribal households in forested villages of Jharkhand.

About Rugda Mushroom 

• It 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.

Source: DTE

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