ISOLATION OF FUNGI FROM SOIL USING THE KERATIN-BAITING TECHNIQUE

Of 236 soil samples baited with wool, some 71.2% (168) produced fungal growth. Gliocladium (25.0%), Paecilomyces (14.8%), Trichophyton (11.9 %) species were the most prevalent in soil moistened with sterile dist illed water (SDW) containing antibiotics. On the other hand, in soil m oistened with SDW only, Trichophyton (32.6%), Paecilomyces (27.5%), Di heterospora (16.5%), Gliocladium (13.6%) and Fusarium (13.1%) species were more common. Of the known potential pathogens, the Paecilomyces a nd Fusarium species were frequently isolated from soil collected in pa rks, cleared areas, paddocks, rivers and roadsides. All five sites are areas of human and animal activity. The keratinolytic species were Mi crosporum cookei, M. gypseum complex, Trichophyton ajelloi and T. terr estre, which are regarded as nonpathogens with the exception of M. coo kei and M. gypseum complex.