Microfungi from decay leaves of melaleuca cajuputi from Setiu Bris Ecosystem of Terengganu

Abstract

Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales (BRIS) ecosystem has extreme physical settings that not favour high decomposition rate. However, the role of microfungi in decomposition process could not be neglected. Decayed leaf samples of Melaleuca cajuputi, a dominant tree on the ecosystem, were collected and categorized into three decay levels; early, intermediate and late decay according to colour. Direct isolation technique was used to isolate leaf microfungi. Seven morphospecies of microfungi were isolated from two phyla of Ascomycotina and Zygomycotina. This study indicates that the decay leaves of Melaleuca cajuputi contains a microfungi reservoir which contributes to decomposition process.