Qualitative Assessment of Fungal Species Diversity in the Rhizosphere of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

The Rhizosphere, a dynamic zone of soil surrounding plant roots, hosts a diverse community of microorganisms that significantly influence plant health and soil fertility. This study aimed to assess the qualitative percentage distribution of fungal species inhabiting the rhizosphere of Cicer arietinum (chickpea), a major legume crop grown globally. Soil samples were collected from chickpea-growing fields at various growth stages, and fungi were isolated using standard serial dilution and plating techniques on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Morphological and microscopic identification revealed the presence of several dominant fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Rhizopus, and Trichoderma. Aspergillus spp. constituted the highest percentage of the fungal community, followed by Penicillium and Fusarium, indicating their adaptability and competitive dominance in the rhizosphere environment. Qualitatively a total of 67 fungal species were identified from 30 different genera from the rhizosphere and soil of chickpea. The Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were also commonly present in the rhizosphere. The species those were dominant in the rhizosphere were F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme, A..ustus, F. semitectum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Trichoderma spp.The presence of beneficial fungi such as Trichoderma suggests potential plant growth-promoting and biocontrol activity. The results highlight the ecological diversity and functional potential of rhizospheric fungi associated with chickpea, which could be further explored for sustainable agricultural practices and biofertilizer development.