Diversity of Keratinophilic Fungi on Human Hairs and Nails at Four Governorates in Upper Egypt

The mycobiota of 160 hair and nail samples collected from 4 different governorates in upper Egypt were estimated using soil plate method for isolating keratinophilic and dermatophytic fungi. Twenty- three fungi were recorded on both hair and nail samples collected from the four governorates. Highest fungal diversity (20) was collected from Red Sea samples followed by Qena (18) and Aswan (17) while lowest fungal diversity was recorded from Sohage samples. The common genera were Aphanoascus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Paecilomyces and Chrysosporium. The most prevalent species belonging to these genera were: A. fulvescens, Aphanoascus sp. A. flavus link, A. flavus var. columnaris, P. chrysogenium. P. lilacinus and C. sulfureum. True dermatophytes such as Nannizzia fulva appeared in 20~30% of the male samples.

Genotypic Identification of Fusarium subglutinans, F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides Strains Isolated from Maize in Austria

Gibberella fujikuroi is species complex. This species complex includes Fusarium tabacinum, F. moniliforme (= F. verticillioides), F. nygamai, F. proliferatum as well as F. subglutinans. Our objective was to develop a technique to differentiate between isolates of F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides. Thirty-two strains of F. subglutinans, six strains from F. verticillioides and five strains of F. Proliferatum isolated from maize in Austria were studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). F. subglutinans strains clustered very closely, with similarity ranging from 87~100%. On the other hand, all the amplification patterns of F. verticillioides were identical, as well as in the case of F. proliferatum. Our results indicated that these Fusaria species are distinct species and hence RAPD markers can be quick and reliable for differentiating them.

Damping-off disease of maize caused by pythium deliense meurs in El-Minia, Egypt and its possible control by some antagonistic soil fungi

Pythium deliense was isolated from rhizosphere soil and rhizoplane of healthy and infected corn roots. Rhizosphere and rhizoplane mycoflora isolated from the same sites were tested for their antagonism toward Pythium deliense in agar plates. Among the isolated fungi, Aspergillus terreus, Chaetomium globosum and Myrothecium verrucaria were chosen according to their antagonism on agar plates for experimentation to test their effectiveness for the biological control in either autoclaved or non-sterilized soil. Coating maize grains and roots with spores and mycelia of these three antagonists gave the germinating seeds and seedlings a very good protection from root-rot and pre-and post-emergence damping-off caused by P. Deliense. Applying these biocontrol agents to autoclaved and non-sterilized soil infested with P. deliense provided an excellent way of protection