Handbook of Soil Fungi

Description

Fungi are microscopic cells that usually grow as long threads or strands called hyphae, which force their way between particles of soil, rocks and roots. They are closely related to animals and plants, and have been around for an estimated billion or so years. At least 70,000 distinct species of soil fungi have been identified worldwide. These can be divided taxonomically into four groups: Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Deuteromycota. It is perhaps easier, however, for everyday observers to think of them in terms of their function and metabolic properties. A number of biotechnologically, industrially and environmentally important fungal organisms are found in the soil. This book provides an exhaustive account of the description of many species of soil fungi belonging to different genera. This book will be an important contribution to mycofloristics. It provides laboratory methods dealing with isolation, cultivation, culture, etc. and ecological distribution of fungal species from various soils. The microscopic and macroscopic details of the fungal species, pathogenocity and clinical significance are special features of this book. It will serve as a guide to experts as well as beginners in the study of soil fungi, their enumeration and their identification.