AIRBORNE FUNGAL LOAD IN AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT DURING THRESHING OPERATIONS

The effect of threshing operations on the fungal spora of farm air, ha s been studied with the culture plate method. Air samples were taken b efore, during and after the threshing of paddy and wheat grains, at th e end of the respective crop seasons. An immediate local increase in t he airborne fungal load was observed during threshing operations. In c ase of wheat the high rise was de to Alternaria tenuissima, followed b y Drechslera sp. and Cladosporium herbarum. In 'Boro' variety of paddy , the high count was contributed by Alternaria humicola and A. tenuiss ima, while 'Aman' variety, Helminthosporium oryzae was the dominant ty pe followed by C. herbarum and unidentified yeasts. Aspergillus spp. w ere observed in significant numbers before the operation started; thei r occurrence was negligible during threshing. A considerable number of yeast was observed, particularly during threshing and after threshing operations.