Influence of dust storms on concentration and content of fungi in the atmosphere of Haifa, Israel

The Global Dispersion of Pathogenic Microorganisms by Dust Storms and Its Relevance to Agriculture

“…may cause inhibition of growth and scab in vegetables such as lettuces and cucumbers and have been frequently isolated by Griffin and his colleagues when analyzing air samples from a variety of regions affected by African dust storms, e.g., northern Caribbean, Mali, Atlantic Ocean (Griffin et al, , 2001aKellogg et al, 2004). The species Cladosporium cladosporioides, which causes inhibition of growth in wheat or lettuce, has been identified in both clear atmosphere and dust (at higher concentrations) samples collected in Haifa, Israel, an area also influenced by African dust (Grishkan et al, 2012;Schlesinger et al, 2006). Alternaria is commonly detected, and it is related to leaf spots, blight, and rot in many plant species (e.g., tomatoes, carrots, radishes, sprouts) (Griffin, 2012;Griffin et al, 2007;Kellogg et al, 2004).…”

“…Four species within the Alternaria genus have been identified in three regions affected by Saharan and Asian dust. Alternaria alternate and A. dauci have been identified in air samples collected in Israel and in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean during African dust-storm events Grishkan et al, 2012;Schlesinger et al, 2006). Alternaria infectoria and Alternaria japonica have been isolated from air samples collected atop Mt.…”

“…Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, USA, an area affected by Asian dust storms during the spring season (Smith et al, 2012). Species within the genus Penicillium cause blue molds in fruits, and this ubiquitous genus is frequently recovered in dust studies (Grishkan et al, 2012;Yeo and Kim, 2002). Fusarium spores are also frequently recovered in air and dust samples, and several species, such as Fusarium solani or Fusarium oxysporum, are known to cause rot and wilt in potatoes or legumes (Palmero et al, 2011).…”

“…Stemphylium, Pseudocercospora, Pythium and species such as Pleospora tarda, Pleospora herbaceum, or Cochlibolus lunatus, are among the fungi that can produce leaf spots in rice, tomatoes, asparagus, bananas, or maize crops (Giongo et al, 2012;Griffin et al, 2007;Grishkan et al, 2012;Ho et al, 2005;Kwaasi et al, 1998;Schlesinger et al, 2006;Wu et al, 2004). Phlebia, Curvularia, Acremonium, and Pseudallescheria have also been isolated from air samples collected in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and in Israel and may cause diverse symptomatology in strawberries, muskmelons, and onions (Griffin, 2012;Grishkan et al, 2012). Species such as Nyssopsora echinata and Chaetomium globosum, responsible for spignel rust and necrosis in roots, respectively, have been identified in Asian dust samples collected in China and Oregon, USA (Kakikawa et al, 2009;Smith et al, 2012).…”

“…This bacterium has been related to respiratory infections in lambs . Fungal infections are less numerous, although aspergillosis and toxicity caused by Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium species, regularly found in atmospheric samples and in dust-storm studies, can affect the health of ruminants and poultry (Giongo et al, 2012;Griffin et al, 2003;Grishkan et al, 2012;Kellogg et al, 2004;Palmero et al, 2011;Yeo and Kim, 2002). Dermatophytoses is also a fungal disease that affects cattle.…”