Studies on the distribution of aikalophilic and alkali-tolerant soil fungi I

Soil fungi were isolated from two different soil types using alkaline and slightly acidic media (alkaline cornmeal agar (ACMA), pH 9.7; cornmeal agar (CMA), pH 6.0) to study their distribution. Different species were obtained on each isolation medium. The number of species of Acremonium and Fusarium increased on ACMA, though many species growing well in acidic conditions were not detected on ACMA. Most of the fungi isolated on ACMA, especially from the alkaline soils, were alkalophiles or alkali-tolerants that can grow at pH 10. Acremonium alternatum, A. furcatum, Acremonium sp. 6, Gliocladium cibotii (YBLF 575), Phialophora geniculata, Stachylidium bicolor and Stilbella annulata were alkalophilic, of which Acremonium sp. 6 was the most pronounced alkalophile. Ability to grow under alkaline conditions, as well as under acidic conditions, was common in many Acremonium species. The use of alkaline medium facilitates the isolation of alkalophilic soil fungi.