FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH POTTED PLANT SOIL

ABSTRACT Fungi are responsible for several ecological interactions within the ecosystem. They aid plant growth, facilitate nutrient cycling and are the primary cause of organic matter decomposition in the soil. A vast comprehension of these fungal communities and their diverse nature is paramount for improving plant care and lowering the risk of contamination. Fungal communities associated with potted plant soil especially within indoor environments, remain poorly characterized despite their level of importance as research on potted plant soil fungal communities is often less extensive compared to studies on natural soil ecosystems. This research work focuses on evaluating fungal community composition in potted plant soil, their abundance as well as factors responsible for their development. Soil samples were collected from various potted plants and analysed using microbiological methods such as culturing on Potato Dextrose Agar, isolation and morphological identification of fungal isolates. There was a display of diversity observed in the results as the phyla Ascomycota emerged as the most dominant phyla. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated the most with a total of five (5) isolates (41.8%) and then Aspergillus flavus with three (3) isolates (25%). Penicillium sp., Cunninghamella elegans, Geotricum candidum and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis each with one isolate each (8.3%). The observations have crucial implications for the evolution of sustainable plant care practices, emphasizing the potential for altering potting mix composition and plant selection to encourage beneficial fungal communities and improve plant health. By understanding the factors that form fungal communities in potted plant soil, we can optimize strategies to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals and promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.