BIODIVERSITY OF DEUTEROMYCETES IN RICE FIELD SOIL OF GONDIA DISTRICT OF EAST VIDARBHA (M.S.) INDIA

Soil is one of the most varied environments for microbial biodiversity including deuteromycetes. The fungal population is maximum close to the soil surface and reduced with soil depth. Inorganic matter and aeration are limiting factors for fungal growth. Cultivated soils contain many organisms in common, but cultivation may change the proportion of different species of soil fungi. Deuteromycetes are microscopic organisms that grow in long threadlike structures called hyphae, which are branched and septate. They are either saprophytic or parasitic. Deuteromycetes hold great economic importance as they act as decomposers of organic matter and play an important role in mineral recycling. They are known as second class fungi or fungi imperfecti because they do not reproduce sexually. Deuteromycetes are accountable for various plant diseases and cause a shortage of food. Climate of the Gondia district is tropical hot and favorable for the growth of fungi with suitable soil for rice cropping. Altogether biodiversity of 33 species of deuteromycetes belonging to 12 genera was recorded through the study from rice field soil.