Isolation of Soil Mycoflora of Katao Near Gangtok, India

Isolation of soil mycoflora from Katao was observed by serial dilution method, In investigation period 146 colonies of 21 fungal species were observed the maximum percentage contribution of Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger (12.32%), was followed by A. flavus, A. luchensis, Mucor sp. (6.84%) and minimum percentage contribution of Cladosporium sp. (0.68%). The maximum fungal species belongs to the Anamorphic fungi (121 colonies), Zygomycotina (18 Colonies) and mycelia sterilia (white) (7 colonies) were observed

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

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

Seasonal variation and ecological study of fungi in relation to biodeterioration

Present investigation focuses on mycobial survey of ancient temple of Chhattisgarh and study carried out March 2010 to February 2011. During the present investigation period it was observed that fungal population was varying from season to season and month to month. Environmental factor play an important role for the distribution of the fungal spores. The Fungal population is not homogenous throughout the year and shows seasonal variation. It was observed that maximum fungal population was observed in winter season, due to favourable temperature and relative humidity, moderate in rainy season and minimum number of fungal population was recorded in summer season, possibly due to unfavourable temperature and relative humidity for mycoflora. It was also observed that Aspergillus niger showed maximum percentage frequency and maximum percentage contribution both

Prevalence of Aspergillus in the phyllosphere of Ocimum sanctum

Leaf surface is the platform of the numerous fungal spores present in the air. During suitable microhabitat these spores are settled down on this having platform and try to colonised. After settle down fungal spores, a triangular relationship appears among the micro-organisms, leaf surface and the environment. The present paper deals with the study of leaf surface mycoflora of Ocimum sanctum with the help of petriplate method in one year. Ocimum sanctum plant grown in hindu families in India.  447 colonies of 33 fungal species belonging to 18 genera of fungi were isolated during the present investigation from the leaf surface mycoflora of Ocimum sanctum. Out of 447 colonies, 212 colonies of 8 species of Aspergillus observed during the investigation period i.e. A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A.luchensis, A.nidulans, A.niger, A.sulphureus, A.sydowii and A.terreus. It was also observed that A.niger (12.52%) showed maximum percentage contribution and most frequent fungi among all 33 fungal species. During the study, it was also recorded that A.niger and A. Fumigatus were observed throughout the year. The effect of leaf exudates and leaf tissue sap of Ocimum sanctum plant on spore germination of Aspergillus species was also observed. The spore of Aspergillus failed to germinate on both sap as well as exudates. Species of Aspergillus are important medically and commercially. Some Aspergillus species cause serious disease in humans and animals. The most common causing pathogenic species are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus.&nbsp

Phytosociololgical studies on the vegetation of sand dunes and sandy plains of ajmer (Rajasthan)

The phytosociololgical study of Ajmer sand dunes shows that three sites of the study i.e. Leela Sewri, Pushakr Valley Base & Pachkund, are dominated by Acacia senegal (Mimosaceae). Acacia tortilis (Mimosaceae) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae). All these three species are represented by highest frequency values in class-A. Species such as Acacia leucophloea, Acacia senegal, Acacia tortilis and Maytenus emarginata are present in all three localities and are different in respect of phytosociololgical parameters, height, girth and canopy width. In the present study shrubs and trees of sand dunes were differentiated on the basis of profile diagrams and scattering patterns of height and canopy width.Â

Influence of various dominant trees on phytosociology of under storey herbaceous vegetation

The Western foot hill gaps of Central Aravallis are stabilized with indigenous and exotic tree species. In the present investigation three different sites were selected, i.e. Pushkar Valley sand dunes (dominated by Acacia tortilis), Leela Sewri sand dunes (dominated by A.senegal) and Pachkund sandy plains (dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Herbaceous flora under the various tree plantations was listed separately to determine the influence of the tree species on phytosociological parameters of herbaceous vegetation. Studies on the influence of individual tree species on the structure of herbaceous vegetation show that species responses vary under different plantations. It is clear from the data that many species which show high value of frequency may not be dominants with respect to IVI (Importance Value Index). Grasses are common for all the sites of study. However, some species respond differentially and to some extent dominance of a species under a particular tree plantation may affect the soil properties and floor dynamics.&nbsp

Evidence of variable bacterial colonization on coloured elastomeric ligatures during orthodontic treatment : an intermodular comparative study

Besides, other factors, the choice of materials used as orthodontic ligatures could be one of the many tools to counter the effects of microbial adhesion, that culminates into dental ailments. Therefore, we assessed bacterial adhesion on elastomeric ligatures with special reference to coloured elastomeric rings during orthodontic treatment. A split mouth study, involving 240 samples of different elastomeric ligatures from forty orthodontic patients possessing good oral hygiene was carried out. The archwire was ligated to the brackets on both arches with elastomeric rings (superslick, clear transparent , blue and pink) at predetermined quadrants. After six weeks, ligatures from second premolars were removed and processed for bacterial enumeration using standard techniques. Bacterial counts were also determined for stimulated saliva samples taken at 0 and 6 weeks. A statistically significant difference in bacterial counts was obtained amongst different elastomeric modules used. Maximum bacterial counts were found on conventional pigmented elastomeric modules, followed by Superslick module and clear module. More number of bacteria associated with the conventional pink as compared to the conventional blue pigmented modules, however it was not statistically significant. The three bacterial genera Streptococcus Staphylococcus and Aerobic Lactobacilli adhered to elastomeric modules in following predominant pattern i.e. Conventional pink>Conventional Blue>Superslick>Clear. The studies evidenced colour and material dependent bacterial colonization on orthodontic modules and could be an indicator of bacterial biofilm forming potential based on surface chemistries and a clinically efficacious tool to redesign conventional and modified elastomeric rings as orthodontic ligation accessories