Fungi associated with decomposing leaf litter of cashew (Anacardium occidentale)

Abstract

The biodiversity of microfungi associated with decomposing leaf litter of Anacardium occidentale and the pattern of fungal colonization was investigated. Fungi colonizing decomposing litter were induced to sporulate by a moist chamber incubation technique. A total of 77 species belonging to 57 genera were recorded. Depending on the first appearance of the fungi and their persistence, three main groups of fungal colonizers were identified: (1) fungi that occurred initially during early stages of decomposition and disappeared as decomposition progressed; (2) fungi that showed less initial activity but gradually increased their activity and declined in the final stages; (3) fungi that appeared in the late stages of decomposition. © 2010 Mycological Society of China.