Abstract Detail

Ecology/Pathology

Henderson, Linda [1], Gleason, Frank [1], Lilje, Osu [1], Pilgaard, Bo [2].

Copper (ll), Lead (ll) and Zinc (ll) are detrimental to the growth and reproduction of four zoosporic fungi from soils of NSW, Australia.

Decreased growth was observed in four species of zoosporic true fungi from NSW soils in the presence of soluble Copper (ll), Lead (ll) and Zinc (ll). Rhizophlyctis rosea (A13), Terramyces sp. (A3), Chytriomyces hyalinas (A14) and Gaertneriomyces (Mar-CC2) were isolated from soils of the Sydney Basin, NSW Central Coast and North-western NSW and were placed in separate taxonomic groups. Differences in the sensitivity to the three metals were recorded for all isolates. Greatest sensitivity to Cu and least sensitivity to Pb were recorded. Significant reduction in growth at 30 ppm Cu and 60 ppm Zn were recorded for all isolates. Three isolates declined significantly at 100 ppm and the fourth at 200 ppm. Zoospore production rate was adversely affected when sporangia were grown in solid PYG media with 60 ppm Cu. Decline in zoospore production occurred in three isolates at 60 ppm Zn and in all isolates at 100 ppm Pb. Growth did not recover in two isolates after incubation in 60 ppm Cu. Cu, Pb and Zn contamination of NSW soils is likely to reduce zooporic fungal biomass and diversity and adversely impact the mineralization of soil organic matter.

1 - University of Sydney, School of Biological Sciences, Macleay Building A12, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
2 - Aalborg University, Section for Sustainable Biotechnology, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark

Keywords:
Copper (ll), Lead (ll) and Zinc (ll)
zoosporic true fungi.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Paper
Session: 7
Location: Auditorium/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 7001
Abstract ID:72
Candidate for Awards:Graduate Student Oral Presentation Award