The effect of soil moisture content on the cellulolytic mycoflora of soil amended with cellulosic remains

The fungal population of soil amended with four types of cellulosic remains under different levels of water content was recorded. 40–80% soil water content was the best level for fungal multiplication. There was no specific fungal flora isolated from any of the three cellulosic remains but some fungi grew noticeably better on some cellulose types than on others. The gross total count of fungi was the highest in soil amended with sugar cane straw at 60% water content but the least was in soil mixed with broad bean straw at 100% water content. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Emerciella nidulans, Fusarium and Stachybotrys were the most dominant fungi. Sugar cane straw was the most hospitable cellulosic material for soil funig. 60% water content was more suitable for the cellulolytic activity of test fungi but protein content was the highest in between 60–80% of soil water content.