CONCENTRATION OF AIRBORNE ASCOSPORES IN THE ATMOSPHERE OVER POTATO FIELDS

摘要

A quantitative and qualitative study of the airborne spore content of the atmosphere over potato fields has been carried out with the help of continuous volumetric Tilak air sampler for consecutive Kharif season and Rabi seasons. Though all the types of spores were encountered, only the ascospores have been dealt with here. Spore types of the group Ascomycotina were recorded with high concentration during both the seasons in this unexplored locality. Out of the 24 ascospore types, recorded during Kharif season of 2002. Leptosphaeria (3.30%) contributed highest, and Bagnisiella (0.02%) was lowest. During Rabi season of 2001 total 17 ascospore types were recorded with Chaetomium (1.16%) as the highest and Rosellinia (0.08%) as the lowest in percentage contribution. Ascomycotina group was found to contribute (15.34% and 9.30%) to the total airspora over potato fields during Kharif season of 2002 and Rabi season of 2001 respectively. The relationship between the incidence of these spores in the air and changes in the meteorological conditions and the results are discussed in this paper.