Ecology of Microfungi in a Tropical Coastal Sand Belt

Abstract

Ecology of microfungi in a tropical coastal sand belt near Kanya Kumari terminus was studied with special reference to soil microenvironment. Mycoflora of beach and dune sand samples colonized by grasses was enumerated. The number of fungi was lesser in beach sand than in dune sand. Highest number was recorded in dune sand luxuriantly colonized by grasses. Diversity of fungi became greater as the distance from low water level increased towards dunes. Asyrergill and Penicillia were the commonest constituents of beach and dune sands. Acremonium cerealis and crophialophora fusispora were dominant inhabitants in beach and dune sands respectively. Salinity tolerance and pH requirements of some dominant and rare species were studied under laboratory conditions. Growth of all the species tested was favoured at the salinity levels of seawater of x1/2, x1 and x2than the control except Myrothecium roridum where the growth was inhibited at higher salinity levels (x1 and x2). There was little effect of pH on the growth of most of the test organisms except a few where the growth decreased at higher pH.