Airborne fungi associated with ornamental plant propagation in greenhouses

摘要

The objective was to determine potential exposure to airborne fungi in greenhouses and to characterize the temporal patterns of airborne fungi in relation to environmental conditions. We analyzed air samples collected in two greenhouses. Results showed that the top 5 fungi in greenhouse 1 were Trichoderma, hyphal fragments, Aspergillus/Penicil-lium-like, Cladosporium, and Botrytis in a descending order. Those in greenhouse 2 were Aspergillusl Penicillium-like, Cladosporium, Botrytis, yeast-like, and hyphal fragments. Maximum concentrations of Trichoderma and total spores in greenhouse 1 were 36,426 and 49,729 spores/m~3, respectively. Maximum concentrations of AspergilluslPenicillium and total spores in greenhouse 2 were 46,961 and 71,037 spores/m~3, respectively. Airborne fungal populations fluctuated dramatically within 2 h during work hours, tenfold for AspergilluslPenicillium, 66-fold for Trichoderma, and sevenfold for total spores. QPCR detected Trichoderma harzianum ranging from 7 to 3,500 conidia E/m~3. AspergilluslPenicillium and Botrytis showed diurnal patterns, but not Trichoderma. AspergilluslPenicillium and Cladosporium were positively correlated with temperature, relative humidity, dew point, heat index, and light andrnnegatively with air movement and air pressure. Botrytis and Trichoderma were not correlated with the environmental factors. Greenhouse workers were potentially exposed up to 71,037 spores/m~3 of airborne fungi.