Itanagar, Jun 6: A unique yellow-coloured puffball mushroom has been recorded in Longding district, highlighting the rich yet underexplored fungal diversity of Arunachal Pradesh.
The specimen was documented by a team of scientists from ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Longding, during a field visit to Zedua village on June 4. The mushroom was found growing naturally on decaying woody debris and organic-rich soil.
According to Dr Deep Narayan Mishra, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Pathology), the specimen has been tentatively identified as Bovista colorata (Yellow Puffball Mushroom) based on its distinctive yellow globose fruiting body and puffball-like morphology. However, detailed microscopic and molecular studies will be required for final taxonomic confirmation.
A preliminary review of available literature indicates that documented records of this species from Longding district are currently lacking. The finding may therefore represent one of the earliest documented records of Bovista colorata in the district and a significant addition to the known macrofungal diversity of Arunachal Pradesh.
Unlike conventional mushrooms, puffball fungi produce spores within a closed spherical fruiting body. As they mature, the spores are released into the environment through wind, raindrops or physical disturbance.
Scientists note that puffball species play an important ecological role as decomposers, aiding nutrient recycling, carbon cycling and soil formation. Some species are also known for their nutritional value and bioactive compounds with potential medicinal properties.
The discovery underscores the need for systematic surveys, herbarium documentation and DNA-based studies of wild macrofungi in the Eastern Himalayan region to better understand their ecological and economic significance.
The field documentation was carried out with the participation of Vikas, SMS (Horticulture), and Dr Amit Kumar, SMS (Land and Water Management Engineering), along with other KVK staff members.