The Kinds and Distribution of Fungi in the Air Over Northern Canada Above 3,000 Feet.

• Main Author: Carter, Sharon Elizabeth.
• Other Authors: Kelly, C. (Supervisor)
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 1949
• Subjects: Bacteriology; Arctic; Canada
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=123809

Aeromycology has been largely dealt with for agricultural or medical reasons. Rust spores, smut spores and spores of many other plant pathogens have been found to exist in a viable state in all layers of our atmosphere. Many workers have shown how these organisms through their numerous air-borne spores may be borne thousands of miles to cause new local infections. The almost continuous exposure of wheat to infection by wheat rust is due to the transportation of the rust spores hundreds of miles by air. The infection starts as a wave in the far south of of our continent with winter planting and slowly travels north till all areas are infected. Interest of the allergists is in the local incidence and seasonal variation of the fungous spores known to be allergens. Viability is not essential as mere contact with them is sufficient for an allergic reaction to occur. Academic curiosity led to the first researches on air-borne organisms and continues even today. Such interest in the micro-flora of arctic air particularly in the fungi is stimulated by the desire for knowledge on the distance plant pathogens can travel, but it is of interest to know what kinds of fungi are present and in what numbers, as well as temperatures and other conditions they are able to withstand. While many fungi have been isolated from Arctic and sub-Arctic air only four groups will be discussed in detail in this paper. [.]