SUCCESSION OF MICROFUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH THE DECOMPOSING LITTERS OF PINEAPPLE (ANANAS-COMOSUS)

The succession of fungal communities on decomposing pineapple leaf and root litters was studied during various seasons of the year 1985-86. 15 and 18 species were isolated from leaf and root litters respectivel y. The fungal communities were governed by the litter type and period of exposure. Temporal changes in fungal communities were more pronounc ed in the case of root litter than leaf litter. Fungal communities of both the litters were dominated by deuteromycetes. Trichoderma, fusari a and penicillia were the early colonizers and mucorales and aspergill i were the late colonizers. The species composition of fungi associate d with two litter types did not vary significantly and about 85% of th e species were common to both the litter types. The number of species isolated from the litters, the number of viable propagules associated with the litters and the rate of weight loss were maximum during the m iddle phase of the litter decomposition.