Diversity of Culture Dependent Mycoflora of the Rhizosphere and Non Rhizosphere Soil of Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in pot experiment. Collection of rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil was done at fifteen days time intervals. For the isolation of the of culture dependent soil fungi, serial dilution plate method was followed using Rose Bengal Agar medium. Soil samples were collected aseptically from the rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric regions of maize from each experimental pot for a period of 105 days. Results revealed that fungal CFU (Colony Forming Unit) was higher in the rhizospheric soil than the non-rhizospheric soil throughout the sampling period. Altogether 41 fungal species were isolated from the rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil. Of which, 2 species belongs to Oomycota, 3 species to Zygomycota and 36 species to Ascomycota. A total number of 39 and 32 fungal species were isolated from rhizospheric and non rhizospheric soil respectively. Twenty eight fungal species were found to be common from both the soil samples. Acremonium, Cladosporium and Penicillium species were the dominant fungal species among the isolates. Shannon diversity index was high in rhizospheric soil community and Simpson dominance index was high in non rhizospheric soil community. Similarity Sorenson’s Co-efficient index of the rhizospheric and non rhizospheric soil community was found to be highest during the 90^th day of the sampling period.