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ABSTRACT
The widespread use of inorganic pesticides in crop production has led to it being an unwanted contaminant in the environment. The study was conducted to access the fungal ability to degrade Haloxyfop R Methylester. The specific objectives include physiochemical analysis of soil (pH), fungal characterization and count and screening and determination for degradative potentials of identified fungal isolates. Methodology utilized in this research study include: isolation of fungi utilizing potato dextrose agar and screening for pesticides utilization as sole carbon source using mineral salt medium for seven days. Subsequently, biodegradative potentials of identified fungal isolates were done using change in pH, optical density and dissolved CO₂ using growth in mineral salt medium for 14 days using shake flask method. The result showed the presence of five fungal isolates with Aspergillus niger and Fusarium sp. displaying the highest degradative potential (highest absorbance difference). The result showed a pH range of and 4.51- 4.53± (5.7x10⁻³) while heterotrophic fungal count in MSM ranges from6.7x10³±2.5 to 8.5x10³±1.5CFU/g.The mean pH value across 14 days for Aspergillus niger ranges from 7.3±8x10⁻³ to 6.15±6.5x10⁻² while Fusarium sp. ranges from 7.21±1.4x10⁻² to 6±0.19. The mean optical density value across 14 days for Aspergillus niger ranges from 0.99±6.5x10⁻³ to 1.96±4.5x10⁻³ while Fusarium sp. ranges from 1.62±5.4x10⁻³ to 1.99±3.6x10⁻³. The mean dissolved CO₂ value across 14 days for Aspergillus niger ranges from 4.85±0.29 to 2.2±0.22 while Fusarium sp. ranges from 6.9±8.2x10⁻² to 2.4±8.2x10⁻². In conclusion, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium sp. were able to initiate degradation process of sites polluted with pesticides.
