Succession of Fungi on Decaying Petioles of Pteridium Aquilinum

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Abstract
Fungal colonization of bracken petioles, decomposing in woodland on moder type humus, mull and peaty alluvium and in Callunetum on peat, was followed for 5 years. The methods of direct examination of sectioned material, damp-chamber incubation and isolation from washed fragments were used. Concurrent loss of dry weight and changes in pH and chemical composition (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, C, N, ash, soluble carbohydrates, holocellulose, lignin and tannin) of the petioles were determined. Removal of readily soluble material and fungal/attack began before frond-fall and a relatively large population of fungi, similar on all the sites, developed in the litter. A succession of species occurred, cellulose - and lignin - decomposers predominating before sugar fungi Hypomycetes + (Sphaeropsidales [forward arrow] Basidiomycetes [forward arrow] Phycomycetes) A seasonal pattern in the numbers of isolations of basidiomycete mycelia was recorded. Mineral loss was greatest on the open peat site, but after 5 years 20-30% of the original dry matter remained on the moder, deep mull and alluvial sites, 45% on a shallow mull and 60% on peat. Associated organisms are considered briefly and the fungal succession compared with that found on other plant materials.

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