The air spora of an orchid greenhouse

Abstract

The orchid collection of the ELTE Botanical Garden, Budapest, Hungary was monitored for airborne fungi using viable and non-viable air-sampling methods (Hirst-type and a 3-stage Andersen sampler) with three different culture media. A new culture method was also applied to identify fungal spores from Hirst-type samples. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity, human-and phytopathological potential of the air spora. To find out sources of airborne fungi, samples were collected from the air in an adjacent greenhouse and outdoors, and from necrotic plants. A total of 58 genera were found in the air samples. Cladosporium and Penicillium spp. were common members of the airborne biota. A high proportion (27.5%) of identified genera may be presented as a member of microbial consortium associated with the orchids. Airborne fungi potentially pathogenic to humans were also detected. One species, Zygosporium masonii, was new to Hungary. Statistical analysis indicated that conditions of sampling had significant effects. The principal component analysis elucidated the three principal components representing 75.34% of the total variance; the clusters of variables were related to the three types of culture media. Relative abundance of small-sized spores was high, presumably because of the fungal species composition and accelerated sedimentation of large spores in still air. Apparently, in the studied orchid greenhouse, a specific mycobiota developed due to the climate and hosts (Orchideaceae) grown there.

Factors Affecting Vegetable Growers’ Exposure to Fungal Bioaerosols and Airborne Dust

“…Penicillium and Cladosporium were the most frequently detected fungal genera in the present study, supporting findings from other greenhouse environments ( Davies et al , 1988 ; Monsó et al , 2002 ; Radon et al , 2002 ; Okushima et al , 2004 ; Li and LaMondia, 2010 ; Magyar et al , 2011 ). Penicillium spp.…”

Identification of moulds from the Taleggio cheese environment by the use of DNA barcodes

“…It is known to be part of fungal communities in many foods as wheat bran (Tan cinová & Labuda, 2009) and stored apple fruits (Granado et al, 2008), and in cheeses, as the Norvegia and Jarlsberg semi-hard cheeses (Kure & Skaar, 2000). Interestingly, it has already been isolated from a brine solution used for olives (Nisiotou, Chorianopoulos, Nychas, & Panagou, 2010) E. scoparia is an airborne endophytic mould, frequently isolated among the airspora of greenhouses, and pathogenic for some plant species (Magyar et al, 2011). It is a producer of several molecules (piramanes diterpenes and cytochalasins) whose antibiotic activity against some bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and fungi (Microsporum gypseum) is being evaluated (Isaka, Palasarn, Prathumpai, & Laksanacharoen, 2011;Pongcharoen, Rukachaisirikul, Phongpaichit, Rungjindamai, & Sakayaroj, 2006).…”

Identification of airborne propagules of the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex during maize production

“…The modification of the Hirst method made it easy to observe, identify and count the microconidia in air samples. Such modifications may give a deeper insight into the airborne dispersal of the studied fungus (Magyar et al 2006(Magyar et al , 2011. No significant difference was found between the spore concentrations measured at 10 and 150 cm, so it can be concluded that it is sufficient to monitor airborne Fusarium microconidia at a single sampling height.…”