Five test fungi Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, Curvularia lunata and Trichoderma viridae were subjected to growth in lead containing basal medium and level of tolerance was determined at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50ppm Pb concentrations. The growth parameters adopted to study toxicity and physiological responses is the dry weight of fungi and total carbohydrate content in their culture filtrate. It was observed that Pb is highly toxic to the fungi it causes inhibition of growth. The fungi which are very much sensitive and shown less growth are Aspergillus flavus and Curvularia lunata where as Trichoderma viridae and Aspergillus niger was found to be resistant as compared to other fungi. Sporulation was decreased in presence of lead. The total carbohydrate content at different concentrations was studied. Maximum decrease in carbohydrate content of culture filtrate of Aspergillus flavus and Curvularia lunata was observed at 40ppm concentration of Pb.
