ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the fungal pathogens present in a cassava farm. Soil, air and leaf samples were collected from an already established (one month old) cassava farm, located at green hills farm, ologbo, Benin City. The farm was divided into various blocks using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with each block containing various treatments (No fertilizer, single dose fertilizer, double dose fertilizer and control), although this study focuses on the field without fertilizer application. Samples were taken from the field, and the chemical properties of soil samples were assessed, revealing differences in nutrient availability, organic matter content, and electrical conductivity between the control and no fertilizer treatments. These soil conditions influenced fungal growth, as evidenced by the higher fungal concentrations observed in the "No Fertilizer" and "Control" samples (3.36 and 3.39 cfu/g respectively) compared to plant leaf samples (2.39 and 2.44 cfu/g), with control plant samples having the lowest fungal concentration (2.13 cfu/g). Four species of fungi were identified, including Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp., Aspergillus niger, and Mucor mucedo, exhibiting distinct characteristics in terms of mycelial color, spore production, and hyphal structures. The plant growth-promoting properties of these fungal isolates were assessed, revealing the ability of Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viridae, and Penicillium spp. to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) and solubilize phosphates, while Mucor spp. showed no such abilities. Trichoderma viridae demonstrated the highest phosphate solubilization potential, as indicated by its larger halozone diameter (14) and higher phosphate solubilization index (6.33 after the third day). The identification of fungal isolates with plant growth-promoting traits presents opportunities for the development of biofertilizers to improve the cultivation of cassava.
