Abstract
Few aerobiological studies have focused on smut spores, teliospores of fungi within the order Ustilaginales, but the scientific literature provides evidence of the potential aerobiological significance of these plant pathogens. The atmosphere in Tulsa, Oklahoma was monitored for the presence of smut teliospores using a Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap. Smut spores were identified in the atmospheric samples every day from May to October during 1991 and 1992 at concentrations that were normally below 1000 spores/m3. The peak concentration observed during this study was almost 6000 spores/m3. Daily concentrations fluctuate due to a variety of factors such as precipitation, relative humidity, percent sunshine, and the phenology of fungi in relation to their hosts. In northeastern Oklahoma, the most prevalent species of smuts in the atmosphere during the spring includeSphacelotheca occidentalis, Ustilago tritici, andU. kolleri. In the fall, spores ofU. brumivora, U. bullata, andU. maydis are more common.
References
Alexopoulos, C.J. and Mims C.W. (1979) Introductory Mycology. Wiley, New York.
American Academy of Allergy and Immunology (AAAI) (1995) 1994 Pollen and Spore Report. American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, Milwaukee, WI.
Burge, H.A. (1985) Fungus allergens. Clin. Rev. Allergy 3, 319–329.
Duran, R. and Fischer G.W. (1961) The GenusTilletia. Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
Halwagy, M.H. (1989) Seasonal airspora at three sites in Kuwait 1977–1982. Mycol. Res. 93, 208–213.
Hamilton, E.D. (1959) Studies on the air spora. Acta Allergol. 13, 152–153.
Hart, M.L., Wentworth, J.E. and Bailey, J.P. (1994) The effects of trap height and weather variables on recorded pollen concentration at Leicester. Grana 33, 100–103.
Hasnain, Syed M. (1993) Influence of meteorological factors on the air spora. Grana 32, 184–188.
Hirst, J.M. (1953) Changes in atmospheric spore content: diurnal periodicity and the effects of weather. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 36, 375–393.
Levetin, E. (1989) Basidiospore identification. Ann. Allergy 62, 306–310.
Levetin, E. (1991) Identification and concentration of airborne basidiospores. Grana 30, 123–128.
Levetin, E. (1995) Fungi. In: H. Burge (Ed.), Bioaerosols. Lewis, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 87–120.
Mishra, R.P. (1987) Studies on seasonal and diurnal variations in the occurrence of airborne spores of basidiomycetes. Perspect. Mycol. Res. 1, 243–252.
Rubulis, J. (1984) Airborne fungal spores in Stockholm and Eskilstuna, Central Sweden. Nordic Aerobiology, pp. 85–93.
Santilli, J., Rockwell, W.J. and Collins, R.P. (1985) The significance of the spores of the basidiomycetes (mushrooms and their allies) in bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Ann. Allergy 55, 469–471.
Shaheen, Ina'am (1992) Aeromycology of Amman area, Jordan. Grana 31, 223–228.
Vanky, K. (1987) Illustrated Genera of Smut Fungi. Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart.
Walker, J.C. (1957) Plant Pathology. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Crotzer, V., Levetin, E. The aerobiological significance of smut spores in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Aerobiologia 12, 177–184 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02248147
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02248147