The ecology of keratinophilic fungi at different depths of soil.

The influence of depth and humus content of soil, on the presence of keratinophilic fungi in 4 layers (1-10 cm, 11-25 cm, 26-40 cm, 41-55 cm) of carbonate meadow, chernozem carbonate meadow and carbonate alluvial soils was studied. Different keratinophilic fungi were found not only in individual soils but also in different layers of the same soil. The greatest number and quantity occurred in soil with highest humus content. These fungi were present in greatest amount in the superficial layers (1-10 cm and 11-25 cm) of all soils investigated.