Fungal Diversity in the Rhizosphere of Tropical Homestead and Plantation Crops of Kerala

A study was conducted on the fungal diversity in the home gardens of three important districts of Kerala. The rhizosphere and rhizoplane samples were collected from different homestead crops representing diverse and distinct areas of coastal region (Ernakulum district), High range (Wayanad) and Dry region (Palakkad district) districts of Kerala. Fungal population was highest (82 x10³ cfu g⁻¹ of soil) in black pepper (Wayanad) followed by coconut (70 x 10³ cfu g⁻¹ of soil) in Ernakulam and 22 x10³ cfu g⁻¹ of soil in banana (Palakkad). There was greater diversity of fungi in the homesteads of Ernakulam, Wayanad and Palakkad districts. In all the three districts surveyed, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. were predominant fungi in most of the crops and or locations, even though other fungi were also recorded. However, there functional diversity needs to be studied and harnessed in order to assess the beneficial effects and relative efficiency on the host plants.

The rhizosphere and rhizoplane samples were collected from different homestead crops representing diverse and distinct areas of coastal (Ernakulum district), High range (Wayanad district) and Dry (Palakkad district) regions of Kerala.

Fungal population was highest (82 x10³ cfu g⁻¹ of soil) in black pepper (Wayanad) followed by coconut (70 x 10³ cfu g⁻¹ of soil) in Ernakulam and 22 x 10³ cfu g⁻¹ of soil in banana (Palakkad).

In all the three regions, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. were predominant fungi in most of the crops and/or locations, even though other fungi were also recorded

However, there functional diversity needs to be studied in detail and harnessed in order to assess the beneficial effects and relative efficiency on the host plants.