NAHARLAGUN, 10 Jan: A small saprophytic mushroom, identified as Parasola plicatilis, (curtis) redhead, vilgalys and hopple – commonly known as pleated inkcap – was observed in the experimental farm of Longding Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).
The specimens were first noticed and collected by Assistant Chief Technical Officer Dr Tilling Tayo,and subject matter specialist Dr Deep Narayan Mishra confirmed the identification based on characteristic morphological features, including a strongly pleated grey pileus, a slender and fragile stipe, and non-deliquescent gills.
Parasola plicatilis is a saprotrophic agaric with an extremely delicate, paper-thin pleated cap and a life span of less than 24 hours. It plays an important ecological role by decomposing leaf litter and organic residues through the production of extracellular enzymes, thereby enhancing nutrient mineralisation, carbon turnover, and the availability of plant-essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
Its activity contributes to the maintenance of soil organic matter dynamics, supports microbial communities, and reflects a biologically active soil system, making its presence indicative of favourable soil fertility status and healthy soil microbial functioning under moist, organic-rich conditions.
The species is non-edible and has no food or commercial value due to its delicate structure and ephemeral nature.
Although P plicatilis has been reported from various regions of India and elsewhere, there are no well-documented published records confirming its earlier occurrence in Arunachal Pradesh. The present observation is considered a first field-level record from the state based on currently accessible information.
This record underscores the rich yet underexplored fungal biodiversity of Arunachal, and emphasises the importance of systematic and incidental biodiversity documentation during routine field-based observations and surveys. (DIPR)
