Ascomycetes of Peninsular India

Book excerpt: The Ascomycetes of Peninsular India is a compilation of descriptions of ascomycetous fungi collected from Peninsular India. The references to such fungi or their original publications are not available to many Indian students. This compilation bridges the gap and provides access to the descriptions. Ascomycetes form one of the large groups among fungi and show wide variations in habit, habitat, morphology, dimensions, lifecycle patterns etc. Where ever known, their anamorphs are mentioned. A total of 1410 species belonging to 403 genera distributed under 114 families are included in the compilation. The arrangement of taxa is according to the classification system in the ninth edition of “Dictionary of Fungi (CAB, UK, 2001). Taxonomic keys are provided. Figures are given at the end in 50 plates. Also there is an index to fungal names and glossary of mycological terms. The present compilation includes descriptions of maximum number of such fungi from the selected area. Also it introduces techniques used for collection, preservation, preparation of common staining reagents, examination and identification. There is a separate chapter pointing out their significance as direct or indirect uses in agriculture, medicines or food, apart from their value as of academic interest. The book is useful to new comers in the field, researchers, teachers, agriculture students, and others interested in sac fungi- ascomycetes.