Abstract

Fungi associated with the decomposition of leaf litters of Albizia falcataria [Paraserianthes falcataria] (10 yr old) and teak (Tectona grandis, 25 yr old) at 2 sites in Kerala were studied in 1985-86 for a period of 14 months, using the dilution plate method. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Doliomyces mysorensis [?], Robillarda sessilis, Pestalotiopsis and Trichoderma viride were the dominant primary saprophytes of P. falcataria litter. Teak litter had Aspergillus, Penicillium, Coniella, and Tritirachium sp. as the dominant early colonizers. The secondary colonizers of both the litters included several genera of fungi imperfecti and sterile forms. Members of the Mucorales and basidiomycete mycelium were predominant on highly decomposed litter. Fungi imperfecti were the dominant colonizers of the litters throughout the study period. In general, the successional pattern of fungi on P. falcataria and teak litters agreed with the general scheme of fungal succession on plant litters