Seasonal Variations of Airborne Fungi in Wadi Qena, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The “exposed plate” method was used to trap fungal spores from the atmosphere of Wadi Qena over a period of one year (January-December 1985). 83 species and 2 varieties representing 31 genera were collected. The most frequently isolated genera on mesophilic and osmophilic media included Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Cumularia, Drechslera, Epicoccum, Penicillium, Stemphylium and Ulocladium; their counts fluctuated irregularly. Alternaria altérnala, Aspergillus nidulans, A. niger, A. sydowi, A. terreus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. herbarum, Cumularia lunata, Drechslera spicifera, Epicoccum purpurascens, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, Stemphylium botryosum and Ulocladium botrytis were the most prevalent species. Also, Eurotium (represented by E. amstelodami, E. chevalieri and E. rubrum) was only encountered frequently on osmophilic medium. On halophilic medium Aspergillus sydowi was common followed by Aspergillus nidulans, A. niger, A. terreus and Cladosporium herbarum. Fungi isolated have been tested for osmophilic and halophilic ability and they showed different rates of growth on sucrose- and sodium chloride-Czapek's medium of various osmotic potential. Members of Aspergillus and Eurotium were considerably the most resistant and able to grow on sodium chloride agar medium of osmotic potential reached to -175.7 or -218.45 bars.