Abstract

Occurrence and distribution of sugar fungi was studied from soil and leaf litter in coastal sand dunes of Orissa for a period of two years covering three distinct seasons. Fungal succession of litter was also studied. Microbial isolation and soil analysis was performed using standard procedures. Maximum population density was observed in the rainy season followed by winter and lastly summer. Higher microbial populations were encountered in plantation soil than the barren sand. They corresponded to the fluctuation of prevailing temperature, moisture and total organic carbon content of the said habitat. A total of 8 species of sugar fungi were isolated of which soil and the leaf litter had a share of 8 species each. Maximum population of sugar fungi was recorded from coastal sand dunes with Casuarinaplantation which can be due to less competition with other fungi.

Key words: Sugar fungi, coastal sand dune, fungi, leaf litter.