Abstract

Fungal Diversity on the Leaf Litter of Syzygium calophyllifolium Walp.

Author(s): Sumithra N, Dorai M and Rajeshkumar S

The decomposition of plant litters on the soil surface is brought about by a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. The aim of the present study was to study the ecology of the colonizing fungi associated with the degradation of leaf litter of Syzygium calophyllifolium Walp. The colonization of fungi was analyzed in three different grades of litters (Grade 1-L, Grade 2-F1 layer, Grade 3-F2 layer). In presenting the data, two terms viz. Frequency of occurrence (FOC) and percentage of occurrence (POC) were used throughout the test. Altogether 36 species were isolated from three grades of litter by moist chamber incubation technique. These included 4 zygomycetes, 2 ascomycetes and the remaining 30 belonged to deuteromycetes. An analysis of the data obtained on the three grades of litter suggested that 15 species belonging to 12 genera were recorded from ‘Grade 1’, 25 species belonging to 19 genera were recorded from ‘Grade 2’ and 18 species belonging to 15 genera were recorded from ‘Grade 3’ litter. A comparison of the mycoflora of the three grades reveal that while some are common to all the three grades, a few were found restricted to any two grades and still some to a particular grade.