Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Cairo, Giza, Egypt
ABSTRACT
The effect of various concentrations of industrial waste water of the Coke and Chemicals Factory on spore germination, radial growth and biomass of six fungi, isolated from soils contaminated with waste water, were investigated.
Most concentration (20-100% of waste water inhibited the germination of spores of Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. terreus and Cladosporium herbarum but stimulated the germination of spores of Fusarium oxysporum and Stachybotrys atra. The undiluted waste water inhibited completely the germination of spores of the three Aspergillus species. Germ-tube lengths were reduced at higher concentrations of waste water.
Radial growth in all fungal species was inhibited at most concentrations of waste water. The biomass production was nil at the highest experimental concentration in all species. The pH values of the growth media were shifted sharply to the acidic side in the three Aspergillus species while no change occurred in the remaining species