New species of fungus aiding in increasing soil fertility discovered in Kerala

THRISSUR: Scientists have discovered a new species of fungus that helps to increase fertility of soip by dissolving decayed plants from bamboo forest at Forest Research Institute's Palapilli Field Research Centre here. It has been named 'Trichoglossum Shyam Viswanathi' after the former director of Kerala Forest Research Centre Dr Shyam Viswanath, in recognition of his contribution to forest research.

Trichoglossum species play a critical role in the decomposition of organic matter and forest survival. The species found in the family Geoglossaceae (Ascomycota) is most similar to Trichoglossum septatum. There is variation in color, size, texture, and molecules. Specimens are in the herbarium of the Forest Research Centre in Peechi. The study was published in 'Personia Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi' published by the National Herbarium of the Netherlands. The study was carried out by Dr S Mahadevakumar, Dr Shambhukumar, researcher KT Mufida, researcher Chalasani Dantheswari and VSRN Sharma, Department of Plant Science, University of Hyderabad.

Hairy earthtongue

They are known as the 'hairy earthtongue' due to their numerous filaments resembling mushrooms. They are black, dark or brown in colour and are found on the roots of plants. 55 Trichoglossum genera have been identified globally. Of these, 21 are recognized species. Most are found in tropical and temperate forests.