Enhanced Growth in Cucurbita maxima Seedlings Inoculated with Endophytic Fungi isolated from Rhizophora racemosa Rhizosphere

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
O. Godwin Okon 1
A. Rhouma 2
A. Martins Udo 1
A. Abbdul Ameer Matrood 3
M. Saqlain Zaheer 4
L. Hajji-Hedfi 5
1 Department of Botany, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria.
2 Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Sidi Bouzid, CRRA, Gafsa Road Km 6, B. P. 357, 9100, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia.
3 Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq.
4 Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khwaja Fareed, University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.
5 Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Sidi Bouzid, CRRA, Gafsa Road Km 6, B.P. 357, 9100, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia.
10.22034/JAST.26.5.1043
Abstract
Endophytic fungi are considered an eco-friendly and bio-safe alternative to increase agricultural productivity. The study objectives were to isolate and identify endophytic fungi from the roots of Rhizophora racemosa and to assess their effect on the growth of Cucurbita maxima plants. Molecular identification of the endophytic fungal isolates revealed five fungal species: Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium equiseti, Penicillium citrinum, and Talaromyces albobiverticillius. A. aculeatus induced the best improvement rate of plant development with an increase of shoot length (159 %), petiole length (171%), internode length (155%), leaf number (133%) and leaf area (149%)at 84 days after the fungal treatment. This research highlights the importance of A. aculeatus, which can be an eco-friendly bio-fertilizer that can enhance the production of Cucurbita maxima and improve the agricultural sector. To confirm its effectiveness, experiments must be conducted in fields and greenhouses.

Keywords

Subjects

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 26, Issue 5
September and October 2024
Pages 1043-1055