Fungi decomposing melon. Colour scanning electron micrograph of fungi on the surface of a piece of decomposing melon in a compost heap. Compost is made by allowing a heap of vegetable trimmings, non-seeding weed plants and grass mowings to degrade. The resulting brown, crumbly compost is dug into soil to provide plants with nutrients. Saprophytic fungi play an important role in the degradation of the plant material. After just one day on the heap there are numerous budding yeast cells (round, brown) on the melon surface. Hyphae from a mould can also be seen (long, green). At the top of some hyphae, fruiting bodies are developing. Magnification: x1,000 at 6x7cm size.