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FUNGI DETECTED ON SAPINDUS TRIFOLIATUS (RITHA) FRUIT FROM MIANI FOREST IN HYDERABAD, SINDH

SHAISTA AKHUND, MUHAMMAD SUHAIL, ISHRAT RANI AND HIDAYATULLAH ABRO

Abstract: Ritha or Soapnut tree (Sapindus trifoliatus) is a beautiful, tropical, deciduous tree of Asian continent. The species is indigenous to India and China and widely cultivated in upper reaches of Indo-Gangetic plains, Shivaliks and sub-Himalayan tracts at altitudes 200m to1500m asl (Levavi Oculos, 2005). The species flourishes well in deep clayey loam soil and does best in areas experiencing nearly 150 to 200cm of annual rainfall. The fruit of Ritha appear in July-August and ripen by November-December. These are obovoid 2-3 lobed, 1.3 to 2 cm diameter, hard and saponaceous. The seed is enclosed in a yellowish brown smooth and hard glabrous endocarp. (Priscilla Abdulla, 1973). The fruit is collected during winter months for seed and or sold in the market as soapnut since It contains saponin which is a good substitute for washing soap and as such used in preparation of quality shampoos, detergents etc. That perhaps is the reason that some Botanists have called the species as Sapindus detergens (Anon., 2004) The fruit is also of considerable importance for its medicinal value in Ayurvedic, Unani and Tibetan systems of medicine for treating a number of diseases like common cold, pimples, blemishes, chlorosis, epilepsy, constipation, nausea etc. Soapnut is traditionally used as a natural and effective treatment for skin complaints including eczema, chronic itching and psoriasis. Studies were therefore carried out to identify and quantify fungi associated with Ritha fruit.

Institute of Botany, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan.