The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the growth of three isolated fungi from rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) seedlings in Dadin Kowa Irrigation Scheme, Dadin Kowa, Gombe

Abstract

The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the growth of three isolated fungi (Aspergillus parasiticus, Altenaria alternata and Thielavia terricola) associated with rice seedlings rot in Dadin Kowa Irrigation Scheme, Gombe, Nigeria were investigated. Temperature in the ranges of 10^oC, 15^oC, 25^oC, 30^oC, 35^oC and 40^oC were used to determine the temperature effect on the growth of these fungi. These fungi were also cultured on 100, 91, 80, 59.5, 47 and 32.5 % relative humidity. Highest growth of these fungi was obtained at 25^oC and 30^oC temperatures. The fungi showed highest growth at 80 and 91% relative humidity. The growth of these fungi was observed to increase with increase in relative humidity and vice versa. Statistical application for Sciences (SAS) was used to analyze the data generated and the least significant difference, was used to separate the means. There were significant differences (P≤0.05) in the growth of these fungi at different temperature and relative humidity regimes.

Keywords: Temperature, Relative Humidity, Growth, Rice, Fungi, Dadin Kowa