The phyllosphere as a little-known reservoir of the Fusarium genus, a fungi of importance to medical mycology

The phyllosphere is an ecological niche that includes the area of the leaf blade, which is a living environment for microorganisms of various taxonomic and trophic groups, including saprotrophic and phytopathogenic fungi. This study analysed the degree of colonisation of the phyllosphere of rush plants of selected bathing lakes by fungi of the Fusarium genus that are of significance to the etiology and epidemiology of fungal infections, and to toxicology and allergology. The research materials was plants of the littoral zone of Lakes Skanda and Kortowskie, which were subjected to a standard phytopathological assessment. The fungi obtained in macrocultures were used to prepare microscopic specimens required for the identification of morphological characteristics of the asexual and sexual stages. A total of 560 fungal isolates were obtained from the phyllosphere of nine plant species, of which 40 (7.14%) were fungi of the Fusarium genus. Most isolates were noted on Phragmites australis. Both macro- and microconidia of Fusarium were observed on this plant, while only macroconidia were observed on other plants. The results confirmed that the phyllosphere was an important reservoir of fungi that are potentially pathogenic to humans.