Fungal Diversity in selected Cultivated Farmland within the University of Ilorin Campus

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the fungal biota composition of selected agricultural soils and to determine the soil pH level and organic matter content that supports the observed fungal community in the soils within the University of Ilorin campus. Serial dilution technique was used to determine the fungal colony count of the sampled soils. Soil pH was determined with the use of pH meter and organic matter content of the soil was determined using the Walky Black procedure. Nine species of fungi belonging to seven genera were isolated from all the sampled soils. The fungi were identified as Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceous, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Cladosporium sp., Fusarium verticilloides, Penicillium sp., Phomopsis sp. and Pythium sp. There was no significant difference (p˃0.05) in the population of the isolated fungi in all the sampled soils except for Phomopsis sp. in soybean cultivated soil samples and Fusarium sp. in soils sampled from zone C. The results also showed no significant difference (p˃0.05) in the organic matter content of the soils. The sampled soils were generally slightly acidic with pH values ranging between 6.03 and 6.88. Significant differences (p<0.05) only existed between the pH values of cassava cultivated soils obtained from the different zones. These organic matter content and the pH values of the soils were found to be within the range suitable for the survival of the fungal community in the study area. > <0.05) only existed between the pH values of cassava cultivated soils obtained from the different zones. These organic matter content and the pH values of the soils were found to be within the range suitable for the survival of the fungal community in the study area.