ISOLATION OF PATHOGENIC FUNGI PRESENT IN ANTHILL SOIL FROM UGBOWO AND EKOSODIN COMMUNITIES IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

From reviews, anthill soil has been utilized as a viable alternative to ameliorate the dearth of essential nutrients such and nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil. It is however pertinent to ascertain if utilizing anthill soil could be a way of introducing pathogenic organisms to plants. Consequently, this research was therefore designed to assay for the presence of plant pathogens in anthill soil. Soil samples were collected in a sterile container from four different anthill mound soil, from two locations (institution and residential). Samples were also collected from surrounding soil to serve as control. Enumeration, characterization and identification of fungal isolates were done using the using the taxonomic literature. The expressed phenotypic pathogenicity of the isolates was evaluated using the overlay agar plate approach. There was a significant difference in the amount of pathogenic fungi present in anthill soil when compared to surrounding soil. The predominant potential pathogens identified were Fusarium sp., Trichoderma, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium sp. Although anthill soil is projected as a potential source of biofertilizers, there is need to screen out pathogenic fungi from anthill soil in other to enhance it's use as soil amendment.