Taxonomic Studies Of The Fungal Families Meliolaceae, Asterinaceae And Their Allies From Mau Forest In Western Kenya

Abstract

Diseased plant leaves exhibiting black mildew and related symptoms were Collected from mall forest between 1989 and 1991. The leaves were dried between Blotters in plant presses and frequently changed till fully dried. For microscopic Examination, small portions of the fungal material on leaves were mounted in Water on microscope slides using a scalpel both the vegetative and reproductive Characters were examined. Dimensions of structures were then measured using an Eye piece micrometer under a light microscope. Illustrations of the vegetative and Reproductive parts were made using a camera lucida drawing equipment at the Department of botany, university of nairobi. For the fungi with bitunicate asci, a drop •.Of iodine potassium iodide (iki, 1 % Iodine) also known as lugol's solution w(ls used to stain the slides with squashed Ascomaia exhibiting asci, ascospores, and paraphysoids. This caused the ascus cell Wall to give either a red reaction (hemiamyloid), a blue reaction (euamvloid) or Remain colourless (negative amyloidity ). The cpiplasm either gave an orange Reaction (dextrinoid) or no response (colourless). '1he staining techniques were Done at the botanische staatsasaamlung muuchcn gernvuiv between februarv and . . April i q(n where type specimens of the dothideales and mcliotar cae used for Comparative purposes were secured.