Isolation, identification of fungi from Avicinnia marina Muthupet mangroves Thiruvarur Dt.

In the present study the leaf surface mycoflora of green, senescent and brown leaves of Avicinnia marina was studied by plating of leaf surface washings and washed leaf bits. Twenty two species of fungi were isolated during the course of four samplings. They include Absidia glauca, Acrphialophora fusispora, Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus candidus, A. flavus, A. luchueusis, A.niger, A.sydowi, A.fumigatus, A. sulphureus, Cladosporium, Cunninghamella sp., Curvularia sp., Gliocladium sp., Fusarium sp., Melanospora sp., Myrothecium sp., Nigrospora sphaerica, Pestalotia, Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Trichoderma viride. The population of the fungi was comparatively more on the surface of the senescent leaves than the green and brown fallen leaves. The Cladosporium sp. was more during the months of December and January, and Aspergillus sp., during the months of March. The secretion of cellulase by Curvalaria sp., Gliocladium sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp., was studied in vitro by viscometric method. It was more in Trichoderma than other species of fungi tested. Thus the present study will give a clue to know about the degradation of litter and alive woody species of mangrove ecosystem. This study also helps to know about the cellulolytic activity of some of the phylloplane Mycoflora which indirectly enrich the nutrient status of the mangrove soils and maintenance of equilibrium status. This study will pave the way for further projects in various angle.

Author(s): S. Madavasamy* and A.Panneerselvam**

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article