Toxicity of heavy metals to some fungi

The comparative toxicity of heavy metals such as Cu, Co, Ni and Zn to some plant pathogenic and non‐pathogenic fungi has been assessed. The growth of mycelia in substrate treated with metals remained dose‐dependent, and at higher concentrations total inhibition was noticed. Sporulation was delayed in all the cases, although there occurred a vigorous growth of mycelia after a few days of incubation. The possibility of using fungi to monitor heavy metal pollution has been discussed.