Influence of heavy metal leaf contaminants on the in vitro growth of urban-tree phylloplane-fungi

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1977 · Microb. Ecol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02010620· OSTI ID:5092235

Smith, W H

The surfaces of urban woody vegetation are contaminated with varying amounts of numerous metallic compounds, including Cd, Cu, Mn, Al, Cr, Ni, Fe, Pb, Na, and Zn. To examine the possibility that these metals may affect phylloplane fungi, the above cations were tested in vitro for their ability to influence the growth of numerous saprophytic and parasitic fungi isolated from the leaves of London plane trees. Considerable variation in growth inhibition by the metals was observed. Generally Aureobasidium pullulans, Epicoccum sp., and Phialophora verrucosa were relatively tolerant; Gnomonia platani, Cladsporium sp., and Pleurophomella sp. were intermediate; and Pestalotiopsis and Chaetomium sp. were relatively sensitive to the incorporation of certain metals into solid and liquid media. If similar growth inhibitions occur in nature, competitive abilities or population structures of plant surface microbes may be altered by surface metal contamination. Metals causing the greatest and broadest spectrum growth suppression included Ni, Zn, Pb, Al, Fe, and Mn. 25 references, 4 figures.

• Research Organization: Yale Univ., New Haven, CT
• OSTI ID: 5092235
• Journal Information: Microb. Ecol.; (United States), Vol. 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALUMINIUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CADMIUM
PLANT GROWTH
CHROMIUM
COPPER
FUNGI
IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE
NICKEL
SODIUM
ZINC
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
INHIBITION
SENSITIVITY
TOLERANCE
URBAN AREAS
ALKALI METALS
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
METALS
PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)