The anamorphic fungal species Scleroconidioma sphagnicola was repeatedly isolated from spruce and pine litter needles in Šumava National Park. The morphology of thirteen strains of this fungal species was compared; oxidative enzymes and possible parasitism on Sphagnum in vitro were tested. Our results showed that all of the strains differed from the original description in only one characteristic – microsclerotia lacked conidiogenous cells on their surface. All strains produced laccase and peroxidase, eleven strains produced polyphenol oxidases. Inoculation of Sphagnum species resulted in only negligible colonisation. We suppose that Scleroconidioma sphagnicola in the studied area does not parasite on Sphagnum. This conclusion is supported by the fact that strains of Scleroconidioma sphagnicola were isolated from needles lying among Sphagnum, but no diseased plants were found.Results of our previous experiments with Scleroconidioma sphagnicola dealing with decomposition of spruce litter needles and competition with other fungal species are summarised.
Koukol O., Kovářová M. (2007): Autecology of Scleroconidioma sphagnicola particularly in Šumava National Park (Czech Republic). – Czech Mycology 59(1): 111–123.
