FREQUENCY OF MICROSCOPIC FUNGI IN THE UPPER LAYER SOIL OF CONIFEROUS TREE STANDS

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine the frequency and prevalence of microscopic fungi in the top layer of mineral soil of native Pinus sylvestris L., Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and alien Thuja occidentalis L. and Larix sibirica Lebed tree stands. Studies on fungi frequency were conducted in January, March, May, July, August and November of 2020, the prevalence of fungi genera – in March of 2021. Biochemical composition (N, Corg, Ca, lignin) of investigated tree litter was also rated. By the carbon and nitrogen (C:N) and lignin and nitrogen (Lig:N) ratios, the slowest decompositions were of the T. occidentalis litter and the fastest one – of P. abies litter. Most abundant microscopic fungi were found in early spring (March) and late autumn (November) and the least one – at the end of summer (August). The biggest average frequency of microscopic fungi was in the soil of T. occidentalis and the least one – in P. sylvestris stands. The higher lignin content and Lig:N ratio in litter positively influenced the number of microscopic fungi in upper layer of mineral soil. The largest part (80 – 39%) of fungi in all investigated stands soil consisted of Penicillium Link, Geomyces Traaen and Mucor P. Micheli ex L. genera. The composition of fungi genus differed most from other stands in T. occidentalis soil. The greatest diversity of fungal genera was found in P. sylvestris stand soil.