Diversity of fungal spores over Jowar Crop

Abstract

To study fungal diversity over Jowar crop, aerobiological investigations were carried out for four consecutive seasons. Tilak volumetric air sampler was used to estimate fungal diversity both qualitative and quantitatively with respect to meteorological parameters. Tilak air sampler runs on an electric supply and provides a continuous sampling for eight days. The spore analysis and identification was based on morphological characters, visual identification by comparison with reference slides, prepared from fungal collection in and around the crop fields by exposing culture plates. The meteorological parameters were recorded throughout the period of investigation. They exhibited great deal of variation during different seasons i.e. Rabi and Kharif.

In the census 63 fungal spore types have been identified up to generic level, other types included hyphal fragments, pollen, protozoan cyst, insect parts etc. Analysis of fungal diversity after air sampling revealed 63 spore types including 34 from Deuteromycotina, 18 from Ascomycotina, 4 from Basidiomycotina, 2 from Zygomycotina. Percentage contribution of these fungal spore groups to the total airspora revealed that Deuteromycotina (60%) as a dominant group followed by Ascomycotina (19%), Basidiomycotina (16%), other types (2.5%) and Zygomycotina (1.5%).