engleski

Occurrence of fungi in air and on plants in vegetation of different climatic regions in Croatia

Research was carried out on the presence and variation in occurrence of fungal genera in air and on plant samples collected from three different climatic regions in Croatia in relation to temperature and relative humidity throughout one year (1998). The sampling method employed in this study was exposure of 150 Sabouraud agar plates with antibiotics to the air for 10 min. and by placing 10 pieces of each plant sample (N = 150) on same agar. The spores belonging to 15 fungal genera and sterile mycelim were identified. Cladosporium (65.3– 74%), Penicillium (4.43– 13.9%), Alternaria (2– 4.7%), and sterile mycelium (7.4– 15%) were the most prevalent fungi in the air of all three climatic regions, while Fusarium (20.3– 36.2%) was the most prevalent fungal genera on plant samples especially in the modest continental climate. Significant differences were obtained for comparative fungal contamination of air and plant samples, and by comparing monthly occurrence in all three parts included. The climate factors and presence of vegetation that produce essential oils with fungicide activity may be the reason for reduced fungal contamination of outdoor environments in the Mediterranean climate.

Airspora; Climate factors; Fungal genera; Plant vegetation

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