SPECIES DIVERSITY OF SOIL FUNGI FROM A CORN PLANTATION AT ECHAGUE, PHILIPPINES

species diversity soil fungi cornfield morphological identification

Authors

  • Rey Mark Gascon Tecson
    tecsonrmg1808@gmail.com
    Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela , Philippines
  • Florenda C. Ballesteros - Temanel Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela , Philippines
  • James Kennard Sanz Jacob Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela , Philippines
November 12, 2020
January 4, 2022
December 27, 2021

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Soil fungi are a critical component of agroecosystems and provide ecological services affecting food and bioproduct production. Awareness of the composition and distribution of local species is necessary to maximize the productivity and sustainability of agroecosystems. This study aimed at isolating fungi from soil samples collected from a corn plantation at Echague, Isabela, morphologically defining, characterizing, and determining the diversity of fungal isolate species. Soil samples from five (5) different sampling units were collected, and microbiological techniques were used to isolate the fungi. Identification was performed by morphological characterization of fungal isolates guided by taxonomic keys and textbooks. Fungal diversity was assessed using Simpson's indices of diversity. Sixteen (16) fungal isolates were found; 12 were known and four (4) were unidentified. Ten (10) species belonged to the Ascomycota group, and two (2) belonged to the Zygomycota class. Aspergillus species dominated the region among all species isolated and established. Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were densely populated and well distributed. A potent biocontrol agent was also identified, namely Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride. The Mucor sp. and Rhizopus stolonifer (Zygomycota fungi) were also identified.

How to Cite

SPECIES DIVERSITY OF SOIL FUNGI FROM A CORN PLANTATION AT ECHAGUE, PHILIPPINES. (2021). BIOTROPIA, 28(3), 263-273. https://doi.org/10.11598/btb.2021.28.3.1469