AIR-POLLUTION AND FUNGAL ENDOPHYTES IN NEEDLES OF AUSTRIAN PINE

Species composition of endophytic fungi in healthy needles of Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Am.) was investigated at eight locations in Sloveni a. Results from October 1994 and January 1995 isolations were compared with analyses of macronutrients, sulphur and lead content of the need les. About 80 species of microfungi were revealed. The pollution load of all measured elements was low and the environmental factors are ver y diverse. At the site with the highest amount of lead in needles the frequency of isolated fungi was the lowest. Ecological factors have th e most pronounced effects on species composition and on frequency of c olonisation.