Rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil mycoflora of <i>Corchorus olitorius</i> (Jute)

Abstract

The physicochemical and microbial analyses of the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of Corchorus olitorius (Jute) were conducted. The soil samples were analyzed before planting of Jute seeds and the average values of the parameters were 11.24% (percentage moisture content), 0.29ml/g (water holding capacity), 1.36% (organic matter content) and 6.80 (soil pH). The textural class of the soil sample is sandy. Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer occurred most followed by Aspergillus flavus, while Penicillium chrysogenum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Neurospora crazza occurred least in the rhizosphere and non – rhizosphere soil samples of Jute in this study. Occurrence of these fungi in both the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils varied widely throughout the duration of this study. It can be concluded that the jute plants benefitted from the microorganisms (fungi) in their rhizosphere and non – rhizosphere zones since the plants showed healthy growth.

Keywords: Corchorus olitorius, Fungi, Non–rhizosphere soil, Rhizosphere soil, physicochemical