Segregation and Screening of Fungal Strains from Soil Contaminated with Pesticides

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to find out the fungal diversity in pesticide fields in western Haryana. Twenty soil samples were collected from different locations at four intervals. Fungal strains were isolated from soil samples collected from different zones on PDA medium. The medium underwent treatment with suitable antibiotics, including penicillin and streptomycin, use the soil dilution method and soil plate method. A total of 54 fungal strains from contaminated and 21 fungal colonies from uncontaminated soil were characterized using a variety of identification techniques. Soil samples were also characterized for physiochemical properties. The filamentous fungus from agricultural soils belongs to Ascomycota, which includes seven genera. Zygomycota and Deuteromycota had one genus each. The isolated fungal strains were successfully identified belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Ulocladium, Rhizopus, Humicola, Exserohilum, Drechslera, Curvularia, and Alternaria. Rhizopus, Aspergillus, and Curvularia were the predominant genera. The percentile contribution of the mycoflora was statistically assessed. These fungal species help in the process of biodegradation of pesticides and would be of great help for the farming community at large.