Curvularia Lunata Research Articles

Antifungal activity and IAA production by endophytic fungi isolated from Elettaria sp

Medicinal plants may become a favourable habitat for associative microorganisms, especially endophytic microbes inhabiting Zingiberaceaen species. Preliminary investigation has revealed an assemblage of endophytic fungi colonizing the healthy rhizome of Elettaria sp. collected from Sibayak Forest, North Sumatra based on molecular evidences. This study investigated the IAA-producing and antifungal activity from Elletaria endophytic fungi identified as Curvularia lunata, Pholiota multicingulata, Trichoderma atroviride, T. harzianum and Schizophyllum commune. Quantification of IAA was based on colorimetry method using Salkowsky reagent which produced pinkish to reddish solution indicating the presence of IAA. Antagonistic test was based on dual culture assay measured in colony growth inhibition (%). Statistical test to signify the differences were analysed using one-way ANOVA. C. lunata produced the highest IAA concentration of 45.17 µg.mL−1 followed by S. commune, and T. atroviride with concentration of 11.7 and 5.27 µg.mL−1, respectively. The strongest antagonistic activities were displayed by T. harzianum against both G. boninense (CGI>75%) and R. lignosus (CGI>50%). In addition, the strongest endophytic fungus against F. oxysporum was P. multicingulata (CGI>70%). Further investigations are being conducted to elaborate other plant growth promotion properties and even characterization of bioactive metabolites produced by Elettaria endophytic fungi.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR): as a Potential Biocontrol for Curvularia lunata Invitro

Rhizobacteria is an environmentally friendly and sustainable biocontrol agent, used as an alternative in the management of plant pathogens. Furthermore, their suppression mechanism often varies, as some are capable of producing antibiotic compounds, competing with, and increasing plant growth, although t some forms possess multiple control. This study, therefore, aims to determine the activity of rhizobacterial antibiosis against Curvularia lunata in vitro. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Biological Control, Department of Pests and Plant Diseases, Faculty of Andalas University. In addition, the procedure required using an experimental method, which was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design. The antagonistic rhizobacterial selection of C. lunata was carried out using a dual culture test, on a total of 7 rhizobacteria, and 4 were selected, encompassing Stenotrophomonas malthopilia KJKB5.4, Stenotrophomonas pavanii LMTSA5.4, Bacillus cereus AJ34 and Alcaligenes faecalis AJ14 as potential candidates in the control of C. lunata, suppression effectiveness that was above 50%. In addition, it was also established that all four isolates the propensity to produce chitinase enzymes.

A Biocontrol in vitro of Trichoderma spp. to pathogens Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporium and, Curvularia lunata: Biocontrol in vitro of Trichoderma spp. to pathogens Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporium and, Curvularia lunata

Fungus of the genera Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Curvularia is among the main fungi that cause disease in plants. Trichoderma fungi are an important tool in the biological control of phytopathogens. As a result, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of in vitro antagonism of Trichoderma species to the pathogens Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporium, Curvularia lunata. To test the action of Trichoderma spp. the colony matching technique was used and the percentage of colonization, inhibition, and scores assigned on an adapted scale were evaluated. For inhibition by volatile compounds, the plate overlap method was used, and the colony diameter was measured after seven days. The experimental design was completely randomized in triplicate and analyzed in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with 4 isolated and 3 pathogens. In the inhibition by volatile compounds, the UFT-204 isolate showed better efficiency in controlling pathogens. In the colony matching to F. oxysporum, the UFT-25 and UFT-204 isolates showed greater antagonistic action. The UFT-25 and UFT-205 isolates provided greater antagonism in colonization and inhibition of C. lunata. All isolates were efficient in controlling R. solani.

Structural elucidation of the exopolysaccharide produced by Curvularia lunata isolate RJ01

Abstract. Jayus J, Akroman R, Nurhayati, Nugraha AS, Piluharto B, Seviour RJ. 2021. Structural elucidation of the exopolysaccharide produced by Curvularia lunata isolate RJ01. Biodiversitas 22: 2699-2705. An exopolysaccharide (EPS) was recovered from culture filtrates of the fungus Curvularia lunata isolate RJ01 prepared in Jember, Indonesia. Based on a prominent peak at 883 cm-1, FTIR analysis suggested it is a ?-D-glucan, a proposal confirmed by subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis which showed anomeric protons omit the signal at d4.37 and 4.8 ppm, and sugar proton signal in the region of 2.5 to 4.2 ppm. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the acid hydrolysates of this glucan revealed the presence of glucose (64%) and a mixture of galactose and mannose (36%). Digestion with (1-->3)-?- and (1-->6)-?-glucanase from Acremonium sp. IMI 383068 gave consistent linear products of (1-->3)-?-glycosidic linkages, since the glucan was digested by (1-->3)-?-glucanase only. The rheological behavior of aqueous EPS solution suggests it behaves as a pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid and thus has the potential for use as a thickening agent in foods. This study is the first report on the structural elucidation of EPS from C. lunata.

Morpho-molecular characterization of causative agents of wilting, leaf spot, fruit blight and stem canker of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

This study aimed at identification and characterisation of the wilting, leaf spot, stem canker and fruit-blight diseases of okra. Pathogen infected plant samples were sterilised with 2% sodium hychlorite solution for 20 mins and then cultured at 28 °C for 15 days followed by microscopic examination. Combined microscopic, morphological and cultural characteristics analyses identified the four okra fungal isolates (OFI) such as OFI-1, OFI-2, OFI-3 and OFI-4 as Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium chlamydosporum and Choanephora cucurbitarum, respectively. The isolates OFI-1, OFI-2, OFI-4 showed highest radial growth rates at 25 °C, pH 5 and 20% lactose containing media while it was sucrose for OFI-3. BLASTN search using the sequence of ITS regions revealed that OFI-1, OFI-2, OFI-3 and OFI-4 isolates had 98, 100, 97 and 100% homology with F. oxysporum, C. lunata, F. chlamydosporum and C. cucurbitarum, respectively. Pathogenicity tests were also confirmed by reproducing the disease symptoms in okra plants.

FREQUENCY OF FUNGAL MYCOFLORA ON RICE

Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the second best essential cereal crop of the world as well as of Pakistan. There are various fungal pathogens that attack on rice and cause various rice diseases.
 Methods: Therefore, the present experiments were done to isolated different fungi associated with seeds, stems, and leaves of commercially grown rice varieties and of mainly isolated species.
 Results: Several fungi, namely, Magnaporthe oryzae, Curvularia lunata, Helminthosporium oryzae, Fusarium moniliforme, Alternaria alternata, Nigrospora oryzae, and Aspergillus niger were isolated from seeds, stems, and affected leaves of rice.
 Conclusion: In our research, the frequency of fungal mycoflora on rice has been calculated and the maximum isolates of Fusarium spp. have been found.

Antifungal ability of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Curvularia lunata causing leaf spot of rice

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, a white muscardine fungus has widely drawn attention of crop protection practitioners as potential biocontrol agent against insect-pests since decades. In the present study, antagonistic potential of 53 native isolates of B. bassiana were evaluated against Curvularia lunata causing leaf spot as well as seed borne disease of rice. Results showed that all B. bassiana isolates were able to inhibit mycelial growth of C. lunata to the extent of 50-63.33% through varied mechanisms viz., competition and diffusible non-volatile metabolites. However, potential isolates of B. bassiana also exhibited inhibition of mycelial growth of C. lunata to the maximum up to 67.78% through release of volatile inhibitory metabolites. These findings provide substantial evidences on multifarious potential of B. bassiana as plant disease antagonist in addition to a potential entomopathogen, thus paves the way of a newer domain in the arena of crop protection.

Diversity of Fungi Present in Permafrost in the South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctic.

We assess the fungal diversity present in permafrost from different islands in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, maritime Antarctic, using next-generation sequencing (NGS). We detected 1,003,637 fungal DNA reads representing, in rank abundance order, the phyla Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Rozellomycota, Mucoromycota, Calcarisporiellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Ten taxa were dominant these being, in order of abundance, Pseudogymnoascus appendiculatus, Penicillium sp., Pseudogymnoascus roseus, Penicillium herquei, Curvularia lunata, Leotiomycetes sp., Mortierella sp. 1, Mortierella fimbricystis, Fungal sp. 1 and Fungal sp. 2. A further 38 taxa had intermediate abundance and 345 were classified as rare. The total fungal community detected in the permafrost showed high indices of diversity, richness and dominance, although these varied between the sampling locations. The use of a metabarcoding approach revealed the presence of DNA of a complex fungal assemblage in the permafrost of the South Shetland Islands including taxa with a range of ecological functions among which were multiple animal, human and plant pathogenic fungi. Further studies are required to determine whether the taxa identified are present in the form of viable cells or propagules and which might be released from melting permafrost to other Antarctic habitats and potentially dispersed more widely.

Curvularia lunata as new causal pathogen of tomato early blight disease in Egypt.

Tomato plants displaying early blight symptoms were collected from different localities in the provinces of Assiut and Sohag, Egypt. The causal pathogens were isolated on potato dextrose agar plates. Pathogenicity tests with 48 isolates were carried out under greenhouse conditions on tomato cultivar (CV 844). All tested isolates caused symptoms of early blight disease with different degrees. The highest disease severity on tomato plants was found after inoculation with isolate No. 6 followed by isolates No. 20 and No. 31. The most pathogenic isolates were identified by sequence analysis using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. The analysis of the amplified sequences from fungal isolates No. 6, 20 and 31 displayed 99-100% nucleotide identity with Alternaria solani, Curvularia lunata and A. alternata, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Curvularia lunata as one of the causal pathogens of early blight disease of tomato plants in Egypt.

Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Sesbania aculeata to enhance the plant growth and antimicrobial activities

Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) was performed using Sesbania aculeata leaf extract. The characteristics of CuONPs were studied using the selected area electron diffraction analysis. The effect of nanoparticles on the plant growth including germination efficiency was studied in Brassica nigra at different concentrations (25, 30, 100 mg/100 ml) using plant tissue culture technique. The uptake of copper and potential metal-binding compounds (citrate, phytochelatins, nicotinamide) in xylem and phloem saps of B. nigra was examined. Copper uptake in xylem and phloem sap was found to be higher at 100 mg/100 ml concentration (2.2 ± 0.23 and 5.70 ± 0.9 µM, respectively) when compared to the control (1.0 ± 0.15 and 4.90 ± 0.7 µM) which could be toxic and inhibit the plant’s growth. 25 and 30 mg/100 ml were found to be safer. The root uptake of CuONPs in xylem was observed through the transmission electron microscopy analysis. Since the nanoparticles at higher dose inhibit plant’s growth, potassium leakage rate was analyzed and found to be higher with copper sulfate treatment (0.8 µg/g FW min−1) than with the CuONPs treatment (0.5 µg/g FW min−1) at 100 mg/100 ml concentration. Additionally, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of CuONPs and the maximum zone of inhibition was found with Phoma destructiva (23 mm), Curvularia lunata (22 mm) at 40 µl concentration. This study shows that CuONPs synthesized using greener technology enhanced the plant growth of B. nigra at a lower dose (25 and 30 mg/100 ml) and act as a strong antimicrobial agent which can act as biofertilizer for both the crop protection and production.

Cepas fúngicas nativas de Yucatán, una opción para el tratamiento de vinazas biometanada

Vinasse is wastewater generated during ethanol production, with a high content of organic matter, and the presence of toxic and recalcitrant compounds that give it a dark brown color. Anaerobic digestion of vinasse is a low-cost method treatment that produces useful byproducts such as biogas. However, at anaerobic digestion of vinasse, a part of the organic matter, which includes melanoidins and phenolic compounds cannot be eliminated producing a wastewater named biomethanated vinasse (BV). It has been reported that fungi that produce ligninolytic enzymes can degrade recalcitrant compounds in raw vinasses but there is little information on the use of these microorganisms in the treatment of BV. In this work, seven fungi (Trametes hirsuta Bm-2 and AHB-6, Phanerochaete chrysosporium Bm-4, Cochliobolus lunatus AHB-1, and Athelia rolfsii AT5, AT13 and AT7) were evaluated for degrading BV. The pathogenic fungi C. lunatus and A. rolfsii species were not able to support the high concentration of toxic compounds present on the BV plate. On the other hand, Trametes hirsuta (Bm-2 and AHB-6) and Phanerochaete chrysosporium (Bm-4) can degrade and remove phenolic compounds present in BV in liquid medium. However, the Bm-2 strain it was the only microorganism able to produce a visible change in the color of the medium with a concentration of 25% BV, achieving 68.8% decolorization and 65.58% phenolic compound removal rate, with a maximum laccase activity (3415.9 U/ml) at 144 h. The results show the potential of T. hirsuta Bm-2 for degrading persistent toxic compounds present in biomethanated vinasses.

Screening of Microflora Associated with Brinjal Seeds (Solanum melongena L.) in Western Part of India

Total 110 seed samples of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) were collected from 12 major growing districts of Rajasthan and subjected to dry seed examination (DSE). DSE revealed asymptomatic (07.75-97.5%), moderately discolored (04.50-67.50%) and shriveled discolored (03.25-38.75%) seeds. Symptomatic seeds in DSE showed various types of discolorations, deformation like white crust on seed surface. The seeds with water soaked symptoms and spots on seed surface were also observed such seeds on incubation yielded bacterial species. The incubation of symptomatic seeds about 21 fungal species of 14 genera and 3 bacterial species were observed viz. Alternaria alternata, A. solani, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Cladosporium oxysporium, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporium, F. solani, Rhizoctonia bataticola and Rhizopus nigricans etc and bacterial species like Xanthomonas axonopodis var. vesicatoria, Ralstonia solanacearum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The microflora severely affects seed germination (failure or delayed germination), wilting and rotting of seedlings, bacterial oozing, collapse of hypocotyls and cotyledonary leaves which resulting seedling mortality. High yield of microflora was obtained on standard blotter method (SBM) and agar plate method (APM). 

Synthesis and Investigation of Tetrahydro-β-carboline Derivatives as Inhibitors of Plant Pathogenic Fungi.

A series of tetrahydro-ß-carbolines substituted with an alkyl or acyl side chain was synthesized and screened for its antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi (Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium semitectum, and Fusarium fujikuroi). The structure activity relationship revealed that the substituent at the piperidine nitrogen plays an important role for increasing antifungal activities. In this series, 2-octyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (3g) displayed potent antifungal activities with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.1 μg/mL, including good inhibitory activity to the radial growth of fungus at a concentration of 100 μg/mL compared to amphotericin B.

Seed health evaluation of Different varieties of Lentil by incubation methods

Seeds of lentil harbour the seed borne mycoflora which adversely affect the germination and seedling vigour. Five varieties of lentil and one local variety were taken in the present investigation to assess the seed health by incubation methods. In this study, varying degree and types of mycoflora associated with lentil seeds were recorded. The mycoflora recorded were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp., Nigrospora sp., Chaetomium globosum, Alternaria alternata, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus stolonifer. In most of the methods, poor germination was observed in local variety, may be due to presence of seed associated mycoflora with higher frequencies whereas JL-3 variety has higher germination due to lower frequencies of detected mycoflora as compared to other varieties of lentil taken in the study.

Seed Quality Status of Rice Varieties Based on Physical Properties, Seed Health and Proximate Composition

In the present study, seed quality status of fifteen rice varieties were evaluated for physical properties, health status and proximate composition. Physical properties like moisture content, seed purity, germination and vigor index varied between 11.77-14.67%, 96.08-98.93%, 96.50 to 99.00% and 1972.74 to 2639.76, respectively. The shoot length and root length of seedlings were from 8.93 cm to 12.99 cm and 10.89 cm to 14.22 cm, respectively. Seed health was determined by blotter test method. Five seed-borne fungi were detected and the identified fungi were Bipolaris oryzae (1.00-8.50%.), Fusarium moniliforme (0.50-3.50%), Fusarium oxysporum (0.50-9.00%.), Curvularia lunata (0.00-7.50%) and Alternaria padwickii (0.00-4.00%). Proximate composition analysis assessment was done using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method. The dry matter, ash, crude fiber, crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate were between 92.52- 93.77%, 2.39-6.70%, 8.65-14.27%, 6.51-9.13%, 1.23-1.97% and 62.84-71.06%, respectively.

The Effective Role of Soil Indigenous Fungi on 2.4-D Herbicide Degradation

The normal field soil environment safeguarded, via indigenous microbes in a native manner, with the aim of turning herbicide waste into productive bio-resources, through fungi activities. This study aims to determine the effective role of soil indigenous fungi on 2,4-D herbicide degradation. The research was conducted over a period of six weeks, on Iraqi cereal field. A total of eight fungi species, belonging to six genera, (Aspergillus candidus L. ATCC 1002, A. niger T. ATCC 16888, Curvularia lunata W. B1933, Penicillium sp. L. 1809, Rhizopus stolonifer L. B9770, Stachybotrys atra C. 1837, Trichoderma harzianum R. IOC 3844, and T. lignorum T. Hartz 1872), were isolated from the soil. During the exposure periods, fungal populations were differently affected, upon treatments with herbicide. The applied herbicide treatments showed different effects on growth and development of the isolated fungi. The results showed that, five of the eight fungi species (C. lunata B1933, Penicillium sp. 1809, R. stolonifer B9770, T. harzianum IOC 3844, and T. lignorum Hartz 1872) were greatly enhanced by the treatment process. However, two fungi (S. atra 1837, and A. candidus ATCC 1002) were affected negatively by the herbicide, while one (A. niger ATCC 16888) remained unaffected. Once extracted from the soil of wheat fields in Iraq, the fungus S. atra 1837, was first isolated. The highest inhibitory effect was caused by 2,4-D herbicide, on the toxigenic fungus S. atra, causing its disappearance from the field at the last week of application. The laboratory experiments showed similar herbicide effects on the isolated fungi at low and moderate levels, while those at the high level (800 µg /ml) were toxic. These results showed that the herbicide 2,4-D treatments have substantial effects on microbial population in the field. When applied at recommended field rate, the herbicide causes transient impacts on fungal population growth and biodiversity, with the majority of the organism becoming responsible for 2,4-D mineralization in the soil. Therefore, the use of 2,4-D herbicide does not only control weed population, but it also affects microbial activities, especially indigenous fungi in the soil.

Major Fungi Diseases of Cashew Trees (Anacardium occidental L.) in Cameroon

The culture of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is increasing in the Far North Cameroon. But, the productivity is threatened by the development of diseases in orchads. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify diseases and pathogens involved in cashew cultivation. The diseases were identified under the basis of the identification keys. The fungal structures were characterized using an optical microscope and the pathogenicity test were carried out. Incidence, severity and prevalence of diseases were assessed in the dry season and the rainy season. Seven diseases and seven pathogens have been identified: anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz), pestalotia leaf spot (Pestalotia heterocornis), alternaria (Alternaria solani), drying of buds (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Phomopsus anacardii and Curvularia lunata), dieback (Colletotrichum sp. and Lasiodiplodia sp.), blight of leaves (Pestalotia heterocornis and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and powdery mildew (Oidium anacardii Noack). Whatever the season; anthracnose, pestalotia leaf spot an drying of buds are diseases with higher incidence (more than 85, 60 and 75% respectively) and higher prevalence. The severity of the diseases varied according to the location and season. Pathogenicity test revealed that all the test fungi were pathogenic to their respective host parts except cashew powder mildew and alternaria. The results of this study represent database for implementation of integrated disease management approaches in Cameroon.

Vapour-phase efficacy of selected essential oils individually and in combination against Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium proliferatum, and Curvularia lunata

Grain storage plays a crucial role in ensuring food security to Thai farmers so sustainable protection methods against deleterious microorganisms, such as fungi, are necessary. Essential oils (EOs) have demonstrated broad-spectrum fumigant antifungal activity against most storage fungi that are problematic in Thailand. Four storage fungi (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Curvularia lunata and Fusarium proliferatum) were isolated from dried rice and corn grains (stored for at least six months). EOs were extracted by hydrodistillation from clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum), fruit peel and leaves of makrut lime (Citrus hystrix), eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus sp.) and lemongrass stems (Cymbopogon citratus). The fungi inoculated on PDA in plastic cups were exposed to each EO vapour originating from paper disc attached in the lids in an inverted position. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each EO was determined. Selected MICs were combined in a binary manner and similarly tested against the fungi. Fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI) were determined for each combination. Lemongrass and makrut lime leaf EOs were the most effective with MICs of 0.09 µL/mL against Curvularia lunata and 0.19-0.28 µL/mL against A. flavus, A. niger and F. proliferatum. Eucalyptus oil produced the least effective vapour (MIC 0.56-0.74 µL/mL) against all tested pathogens. A combination of lemongrass and makrut lime leaf EOs was partially synergistic against A. niger (FICI=0.75) but was fully synergistic against the other three fungi tested (FICI=0.5). The EOs from lemongrass and makrut lime leaf have potential to suppress the growth of the four grain-storage fungi tested.

Fungal endophytes from leaves of Avicennia marina growing in semi-arid environment as a promising source for bioactive compounds.

Endophytic fungi are broadly dispersed residing inside plant tissues and have been demonstrated as a treasure for bioactive natural products. Unexplored harsh and heavy metal contaminant habitat of Avicennia marina may have diverse and potential fungal association. Therefore, this work aimed to isolate the culturable fungal endophytes associated with leaves of A. marina and to evaluate their medical potentialities. Seventeen isolates of endophyte fungi were isolated from healthy leaves and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated. Results showed that isolates had activity against micro-organisms in addition to their antioxidant activity produced a variety of phenolic compounds, besides exhibited a lowest cytotoxicity against ATCC-CCL-81 cell line. Consequently, selected endophytic fungal isolates were identified genetically as Chaetomium sp., Chaetomium madrasense, Chaetomium sp., Chaetomium globosum, Aspergillus hiratsukae, Aspergillus ochraceus, Alternaria tenuissima and Curvularia lunata with gene bank accession numbers MT089951, MT089952, MT089953, MT089954, MT089955, MT089956, MT089957 and MT089958 respectively. The most potent fungus extract was analysed using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry which verified the presence of numerous bioactive compounds. These findings confirmed that new endophytic fungal strains derived from A. marina thrive in harsh ecosystem produce bioactive metabolites which can be recommended as a novel source for drug discovery.

A preliminary investigation on airborne fungi of pedestrian underpasses

Pedestrian underpasses are the unique environment where air transaction with outdoor is complicated, inducing interest to study the air quality for the presence of microbes. Thus, the study on the presence of airborne fungi from 11 different underpasses in Chennai city was conducted. The airborne fungi was monitored by exposing potato dextrose agar strips in reuter centrifugal sampler (RCS). A total of 1735 colonies were isolated from underpasses and the control site recorded only 1255 colonies. Total average colony forming unit of underpasses and control site was 157.7 CFU/m3 of air and 114.09 CFU/m3 of air, respectively. Altogether 22 species classified in 16 genera were isolated from both the environments. Of which 21 species belonging to 16 genera were isolated from underpasses whereas the control site yielded 15 species belonging to 12 genera. The isolated species were categorized into three species belonging to Zygomycota, 2 species to Ascomycota and the remaining to Mitosporic fungi. The air sample in the underpass is dominated by the presence of the fungi, Aspergillus flavus, Curvularia lunata and A.niger, whereas the control is dominated by Cladosporium cladosporioides, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus. The study proves the underpasses are a favorite niche for the proliferation of fungal propagules and proper maintenance of underpass is recommended.