Fungi and bacteria associated with pine (Pinus kesiya Royle) needles and teak (Tectona grandis L.) leaf litters during processing in a freshwater lake

Abstract

Pinus kesiya Royle needles and Tectona grandis L. leaves were exposed in a freshwater lake at three stations and at different depths for a period of 600 days using plastic net bags (1 mm pore size). The fungal and bacterial populations associated with the two litters were estimated at periodic intervals. Rapid initial colonization (up to 100 days) and a lowering of populations after 200-300 days, followed by another peak after 400-500 days were noted. Both fungi and bacteria followed almost similar trends of population variation. Litter at the shallow stations harboured more fungi and bacteria. The species composition of fungi varied with time. The possible role of terrestrial fungi in aquatic habitats is discussed.

Dry weight loss and changes in chemical composition of pine (Pinus kesiya Royle) needles and teak (Tectona grandis L.) leaves during processing in a freshwater lake

“…3) and subsequent slower breakdown of this material might be one of the most important reasons for the slow rate of the weight loss during later periods . The rapid loss in weight spring and summer (second year) coincides with the high population of bacteria and fungi (Tiwari 1980 ;Mishra & Tiwari 1982) . The effect of bacterial and fungal population maximum was more pronounced on the weight loss of the teak leaves as compared with the pine needles .…”

Fungi in lake ecosystems

“…This is also true for lotic systems, and fungi introduce allochthonous leaf litter compounds into the food web of streams. Current knowledge of fungal ecology in lakes, however, is very rudimentary, with only a few studies having examined fungi on allochthonous leaf litter in lakes (Nilsson 1964, Casper 1965, Mishra & Tiwari 1983, Baldy et al 2002, Pabst et al 2008. Depending largely on lake size and on the surrounding vegetation, allochthonous leaf litter carbon may contribute the equivalent of up to 10% of phytoplankton production in small lakes (Gasith & Hasler 1976).…”