Occurrence of Water Borne Conidial Fungi in Relation to Some Physico-Chemical Parameters in a Fresh Water Stream

Relative effect of some physico-chemical parameters of water to the occurrence of water borne conidial fungi was studied in a high altitudinal fresh water stream. A total of 30 species belonging to 21 genera were isolated. The number of conidial fungal species was enumerated in water samples collected monthly during the period of March 2007-February 2008. There was marked seasonal fluctuation in the occurrence of the species. The maximum number of species was found during spring to early summer and winter, while there was a decline in the number of species during late summer, rainy and early autumn seasons. Species richness was correlated with seven different water quality variables measured for each sample period, viz., temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, organic and inorganic content, phosphate and sulphate concentration. The data were analyzed statistically for correlation and these factors were found to be significant for the occurrence of water borne conidial fungi. (Nature and Science. 2009;7(4):20-28). (ISSN: 1545-0740).