Effect of bio-fungicide in the control of fungi isolated from selected farm soils across Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Evaluating the effect of bio-fungicide in the control of fungi isolated from selected farm soils across Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka was carried out in this study. Soil samples were collected from 4 different farm sites across Nnamdi Azikiwe University main campus viz: farm site behind Bioscience auditorium (site A), farm site beside Unizik security block (site B), farm site beside GTB building (site C) and farm site opposite Elmeda hostel (site D). Identification of fungal species isolated were based on physical observation of the growth of the fungi and the structures that were observed under the microscope to reveal the type of hyphal growth, fruiting bodies and resting spores. Biofungicdes used in the control of fungi isolated from soil in this study were Trichoderma virides and Bacillus subtills. The effect of Bacillus subtilis on fungi isolated from soil samples in Farm A showed highest inhibition in Fusarium oxysporum (5.41±0.08a) and lowest in Aspergillus niger (2.73±0.04c). In Farm B, B substilis recorded the highest inhibition in Rhizopus stolonifer (6.33±0.10a) and lowest in Aspergillus terreus (2.09±0.05c). Farm C had highest inhibition for B substilis in Aspergillus flavus (5.05±0.08a) and lowest in Fusarium oxysporum (2.04±0.02b), while Farm D recorded the highest inhibition in Aspergillus flavus (5.20±0.10a) and least in Fusarium oxysporum (1.30±0.04c). Result on the percentage inhibition of fungi isolates from the cultured soil specimen showed that for Rhizopus stolonifer, T. virides had the highest percentage inhibition (5.23±0.02a) on soil collected from farm C while the least percentage inhibition was seen for farm B (3.33±0.10b). B. subtilis and T. virides have antifungal properties which may have been associated with the biocontrol activity observed in this study.