EXAMINATION OF SOILS FROM RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE IN BETUL, INDIA, FOR FUNGI BY THE KERATIN BAITING TECHNIQUE

A report on an examination of soils from residential garbage of Betul, India, for fungi by the keratin (materials) baiting technique is pres ented. A total of 69 fungi representing 39 species among 17 genera wer e isolated. In all the soil samples, only two genera, namely Aspergill us (190.9%), followed by Fusarium (118.18%), were most frequently isol ated. Maximum colonisation of fungi was found on hair, followed by hor n, feathers and nails. For the first time, the genus Fusoma is reporte d here as a keratinophilic fungus. The keratin baiting technique was f ound very effective in detecting a broad spectrum of fungi in biologic al wastes and compost.