COMPARATIVE SURVIVAL AND DECOMPOSING ABILITY OF FOUR FUNGI ISOLATED FROM LEAF LITTER AT LOW TEMPERATURES

Abstract

The survival and decomposing ability of the four dominant fungi found in low-temperature decomposing leaf litter was studied over a 46-mo period, at temperatures ranging from 1 C to room temperature. A Rhizoctonia sp. by itself and in association with the three other fungi disappeared. When alone it brought about no decomposition. Over the temperature range a Penicillium sp. that appeared to be a member of the Penicillium terrestre series showed strong survival properties in association with the other fungi, and by itself decomposed about the same amount of litter as the natural microbial flora of the unaltered litter, indicating that under natural conditions and at temperatures above 1 C this fungus is an important colonizer and decomposer of organic matter. Mucor spinescens alone and in association survived at room temperature and 10 C, but was absent at 4 and 1 C. By itself it decomposed a small amount of litter. The most abundant species, Chrysosporium pannorum (50% of all isolates at cold temperatures), a cellulolytic fungus, was not able to survive in litter in the absence of the other fungi. In their presence, it not only survived but increased in number as temperature decreased. The facts that pH changes and litter extract did not affect its growth suggest that C. pannorum does not possess the ability to be a pioneer colonist, and it is only after associated fungi begin the initial breakdown and perhaps supply easily available energy sources or growth factors that C. pannorum is able to take part in the decomposition process and survive. Thus, as temperature decreases, there is perhaps less competition for this cold-tolerant fungus, and its role in the decomposition process increases.