Distribution of nematophagous fungi in Pusa farm Samastipur, India.

Abstract

Three types of soils (poor in organic matter, rich in organic matter and humus rich), sampled from 80 sites of Pusa farm in Bihar, India, showed that nematophagous fungi exist in all soil habitats. Sixty-one isolates were collected consisting of 41 endoparasites and 20 predatory species. A total of 9 nematophagous species, represented by 7 genera, were identified. The most common endoparasites were Catenaria vermicala (13.75%) and Catenaria anguillulae (8.75%). The most common predators were Monacrosporium megalosporum (12.5%), Stylopage leiohypha (8.75%) and Cystopage cladospora (2.5%). Rich in organic matter and humus soils were most the fruitful sources of Cystopage cladospora and Harposporium arcuatum, respectively.