Study of the occurrence of greenhouse microfungi in a botanical garden

Three greenhouses and the Central Garden of the Botanical Garden of Pavia were monitored for 1 year with the objective of investigating the occurrence of both airborne fungal spores and phylloplane fungi. By using an SAS air sampler, the higher fungal spore concentrations were detected in tropical and Mediterranean greenhouses. A total of 72 species belonging to 42 genera, some of which are related to the presence of plants ex situ, were isolated from Petri plates after exposure. Some airborne fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Conidiobolus spp., which are responsible for human allergies and respiratory problems, were also detected. Forty-four genera of phylloplane fungi were identified from leaves randomly collected from greenhouse plants. Most of the aerial fungal taxa isolated were also detected from the phylloplane. Some phytopathogenic taxa, as exemplified by Gliocladium vermoeseni, Graphium sp., Peronospora sp., and Zygosporium oscheoides, were isolated only from the phylloplane. The information obtained from qualitative and quantitative analysis of fungi can be a useful tool in the control of indoor air quality, thereby guaranteeing ex situ plant conservation and occupational health safety.