Introduction to Fungi

Fungi constitute an important group of cryptogams whose study is essential for all the students of Botany. Fungi constitute an integral part of the biological spectrum having far reaching influence on other components of environment. From the point of human beings fungi are both friends as well as foes. In the evolutionary hierarchy of plants, fungi occupy a pivotal position as they pave the path for structural and functional adaptations of plants at the basic level without the help of photosynthetic mechanism. A detailed study of fungi is a part and parcel of the curriculum for the students of Botany at the undergraduate and post graduate level. An introduction to Fungi is a text book meant for undergraduate students studying botany. The format of the book has been prepared in such a way that students of all Indian Universities can use this book. Post graduate students also will find the book useful for their studies. The book consists of fourteen chapters. Chapter one deals with the general characters of fungi. While chapter two deals with the slime molds which are regarded as mixed fungi. Chapters 3 to 6 deal with different classes of fungi including life history study of several important members. There are separate chapters on Bacteria, Viruses, Mycoplasma etc. as they form a part of the study along with fungi. The book also has a chapter on fungi and human welfare. A Detailed account of Lichens is given in chapter 14.