Comparative Study of Aeromycoflora in Relation to Soil Mycoflora of Darjeeling Tea Garden, India

Abstract

Darjeeling is internationally famous for its tea industry. The aim of the present investigation was to comparative study of aeromycoflora in relation to soil mycoflora at tea garden Darjeeling. Mycoflora of soil and air from tea garden of Darjeeling was studied during summer, 2009. The fungal species from soil samples were isolated by serial dilution method. During the present investigation gravity Petri plates methods was used for aeromycological survey. Fungal spores recorded were representatives of the three major groups i.e. Zygomycotina, Anamorphic fungi and Mycelia sterilia. A total of 12 fungi were isolated from soil. Aspergillus fumigatus (18%), showed maximum percentage contribution followed by A. niger and Rhizopus sp. (14%).  The maximum fungal species belonged to Anamorphic fungi. In air total 87 fungal spores represented 16 fungal types were observed during the present investigation period. Out of 16 fungal species 2 from Zygomycotina,13 from Anamorphic fungi  and 1 from Mycelia sterilia (white) were observed. Aspergillus fumigatus showed the maximum percentage contribution of aero-mycoflora as well as soil mycoflora. Some common aeroallergens including Aspergillus, Penicillium were found to dominate to mold spectrum. Over the last few years a significant progress has been observed in the study of airborne fungi, because of the medical and phytopathological consequences associated with fungal spores.