Q. With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:

  1. It is a fungus.
  2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
  3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 3 only
  • 1 and 2
  • 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 2

Notes:

  • Morel Mushrooms are commonly called Gucchi mushrooms in the Himalayan region and are prized for their spongy, honeycomb texture, and unique flavor. 
  • The scientific name of the Gucchi mushroom is Morchella Esculenta and belongs to a class of fungi.
  • The Gucchi mushroom is an expensive and exclusive ingredient that grows wild on the foothills of the Himalayas.
  • Jammu-based NGO Border World Foundation has filled the GI tag application for Gucchi mushroom at the Geographical Indication Registry recently. 
  • It is facilitated by the Director of Agriculture, Jammu & Kashmir.
  • Jammu & Kashmir already have GI tags for Saffron.
  • Gucchi mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially and instead they grow wild only in some regions like the Kangara Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, Manali and other parts of Himachal Pradesh after the snowfall period. 

Fungus

  • A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms.
  • A characteristic that places fungi in a different kingdom from plants, bacteria, and some protists is chitin in their cell walls. Fungi, like animals, are heterotrophs; they acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules, typically by secreting digestive enzymes into their environment.
  • Fungi do not photosynthesize.
  • Fungi are the principal decomposers in ecological systems.
    • Fungi perform an essential role in the decomposition of organic matter and have fundamental roles in nutrient cycling and exchange in the environment.
  • Since the 1940s, fungi have been used for the production of antibiotics, and, more recently, various enzymes produced by fungi are used industrially and in detergents.
  • Fungi are also used as biological pesticides to control weeds, plant diseases, and insect pests.