The prevalence of micromycetes of the genera <i>Alternaria</i> and <i>Cladosporium</i> in an urbanized environment using the example of the city of Moscow

Abstract

Fungi of the genera Alternaria and Cladosporium, can cause mycoses in a significant part of people. To reduce air pollution by spores of fungi dangerous to human health, the degree of involvement of ornamental and fruit crops, lawn grasses, as well as weed plants with fungi from the genera Alternaria and Cladosporium was studied. To determine the prevalence of fungal pathogens during 2017-2020, collection and microscopic analysis of plant samples of 64 species of higher plants from 12 botanical families was carried out in 12 administrative districts of Moscow. Species diagnostics of fungi of the genus Alternaria were carried out according to the morphological features of conidia and the habit of sporulation. It has been found that most species of fungi identified in the urban area belong to the toxic non-specialized species A. tenuissima, A. infectoria and A. alternata. A high degree of lesion with fungi of the genus Alternaria is determined – at the level of 20-40 % – introduced species: Ash maple (Acer negundo), Hawthorn semi-soft (Crataegus submollis), as well as such crops common in urban landscaping as small-leaved Lipa (Tilia cordata). A high degree of damage to Cherry acidic (Prunus cerasus) fungi of the genus Cladosporium has been established, with a maximum degree of development of up to 30 %. The least affected ornamental and fruit crops suitable for urban landscaping have been identified, species suitable for landscaping areas of new buildings and areas with a large wind load have been described.