Deuteromycetous Fungi in a Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem of the Upper Brahmaputra Valley

The present study investigates some data on Deuteromycetous fungal flora of a tropical rainforest ecosystem. The soil samples from various depths of a tropical rainforest ecosystem at disturbed and undisturbed stands were analyzed. Altogether 28 species of Deuteromycetous fungi were isolated from the site. The highest fungal counts were found in the top soil layer in all seasons except during the rainy season when the population was greater in the subsoil. It was found that their number decreased with increasing depth of the soil i.e. from 0-100 cm soil depth. Fungal population was the highest during Autumn (2.1×10⁴/g at top soil at undisturbed stand) and lowest during Summer (0.8×10⁴/g at top soil at undisturbed stand). Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most dominant genera at the two stands and at different depths. Soil organic carbon (1.40 % at top soil and 1.25 % at 100 cm depth at undisturbed stand) and total nitrogen percentage decreased with increasing depth of the soil.