Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Gucchi’ sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements.
It is a fungus.
It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of North-Eastern India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Only 1
Only 3
1 and 2
2 and 3
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Gucchi is a type of edible wild mushroom.
It is a fungus belonging to the genus Morchella, family Morchellaceae and phylum Ascomycota. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
It is called the ‘Morel Mushroom’ in English because of its honeycomb-like ridged cap.
In India, Gucchi occurs naturally in Himalayan forest areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.
It generally appears in spring under suitable temperature and moisture conditions after the snow has melted.
The natural fruiting of Gucchi is influenced by rainfall, soil moisture, temperature, vegetation and other local environmental conditions.
It is mainly collected manually from forests.
Its limited availability, distinctive flavour and difficult collection make it highly valuable in the market.
The collection of Gucchi can provide a source of seasonal income for local communities.
Gucchi has a complex life cycle, and its reliable large-scale production outside its natural habitat has remained difficult.
In the context of the question, it was not commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of North-Eastern India. Therefore, Statement 3 is not correct.
Cultivation attempts at the research or experimental level cannot be regarded as established commercial production.
While collecting wild Gucchi, damage to immature fruiting bodies and its habitat should be avoided.
Gucchi must be identified carefully because some poisonous ‘false morels’ may resemble true morels.