Abstract
This investigation determines the species composition and diversity of phylloplane mycobiota of twenty different plant species, mostly trees, growing on roadsides in Karachi city or gardens (particularly Karachi University nursery and various Departmental gardens on the campus). A total of twenty- two microfungal species and 12 genera were recorded. The highest number of microfungal species (7) and genera (5) were recorded from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and lowest number of species (2) and genera (2) were observed on the phylloplane of drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera). Species diversity and its components, i.e., species richness and equitability, for the fungal communities were ascertained. The diversity analysis disclosed that the microfungal general diversity (H) was high for neem or Indian Lilac (Azadirachta indica), curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) while it was low for Indian rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo), golden-shower tree (Cassia fistula) and drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera). On the other hand, equitability (J) was higher for neem (Azadirachta indica), Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), oleander (Nerium oleander) and Ashok tree (Polyalthia longifolia) and low for Indian rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo), wild almond (Terminalia catappa) and Golden-shower tree (Cassia fistula). The microfungal assemblages were generally dominated by the genus Aspergillus (A. niger, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. fumigatus). Additionally, Nigrospora sphaerica was also abundant. High qualitative similarities of phylloplane microfungal assemblages were demonstrated between the 20 plant species. Alpha, beta and gamma diversity of the phylloplane mycobiota was determined. Alpha diversity was low ( = 4.35) while average beta diversity was slightly higher than alpha diversity ( =6.26). Similarity of mycobiota associated with phylloplane of various plant species was examined and average similarity based on Sorensen’s index was found to be 23.80 percent. The similarity was zero for 101 pairs of assemblages. The phylloplane fungal assemblage showed a great deal of correspondence with the airspora of the area.
