Antagonism of Microsporum species by soil fungi

Eighteen fungi isolated from soil by hair bating method were tested against soil inhabiting Microsporum equinum , Microsporum fulvum , Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum racemosum for their antagonistic interactions. Colony inhibition during dual cultures showed inhibition of all the four Microsporum species. The maximum inhibition of M. equinum , M. fulvum , M. gypseum and M. racemosum was caused by Chrysosporium keratinophilum , Chrysosporium tropicum , Curvularia lunata and Chrysosporium lucknowense in dual cultures. On the other hand, M. fulvum showed maximum inhibition of Macrophomina phaseolina (70.1%) while M. equinum , M. gypseum and M. racemosum showed maximum inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporoides . Staling products of C. lucknowense accelerated growth of all Microsporum species, C. keratinophilum 3 and C hrysosporium evolceaunui and M. phaseolina accelerated growth of two species of Microsporum . Staling product of Alternaria alternata was most inhibitory. Culture filtrates of Trichophyton vanbreseughemii accelerated the growth of all the four Microsporum species and C. tropicum , C. lucknowense accelerated growth of two species, while Botryotrichum piluliferum accelerated growth of three species of Microsporum . Volatiles showed inhibition of all the Microsporum species ranging from 0.33 to 57.2% except in case of M. fulvum . Lysis of Microsporum mycelium was the most common feature.