Abstract: Fungal propagules including viable spores in the environment are known to be prominent allergen bio-particulates, implicated to cause allergic symptoms and respiratory disorders in animals and various diseases to plants. Aeromycological survey over vegetable growing field under irrigation at different locations for two month period in rubi season revealed existence of significant count of viable fungal spores of diverse group adhere to film of nutrient medium that forms colonies of different colours in variable frequency. Out of the total 2085 fungal colonies fall under 19 genera and 35 species, more than half count of colonies was appeared in the month of January by petri plate exposure method. The peak period of spore concentration was confined second week of January, marked by ambient climate of low temperature and high humidity. Ascomycota contributed greater colony count over others. An individual ascomycetous genus, was reported dominant exhibiting higher count of species and contributed 36 per cent of the total colony count followed by Fusarium (12.7%), Alternaria (7.0%) and Curvularia (6.6%). Cladosporium, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Rhizopus and sterile black mycelia were reported equally dominant. Least concentration of spores has been recorded for Cunninghamela, Phytophthora, Pythium, and Phomopsis whereas pathogenic fungal genera including Chaetomium, Nigrospora, Trichothecium and sterile white mycelia were reported to appear in moderate concentration. It may be concluded that distribution of diverse group of viable fungal spores in variable concentration in response to climate of high humidity and low temperature over vegetable growing field may cause allergic disorders to related farmers.

Keywords: Fungal propagules, allergy, climate, deterioration, mycelia.

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2021.8101