ISOLATION OF FUNGI FROM VARIOUS AGRICULATURAL FIELDS AS A FUNCTION OF SOIL DEPTH AND SEASONAL VARIABILITY

Abstract

Study of population and species occurrence of fungi as a function of soil depth and seasons was
conducted during 2009 and 10. The samples were collected from ten agricultural fields at Quetta district. Soil
sampling was conducted during four seasons such as February, 2009 and 10 (S1 and S3) and August, 2009 and 10
(S2 and S4) across soil depth of 0-06 and 06-12 inches. The serial dilution plate technique was used for isolation
of fungi which were significantly affected by seasonal variability and soil depth. The results exhibited higher
fungal (18.30 cfu g
-1soil) population in location 9 at upper depth in S1 and lower (6.50 cfu g
-1soil) in location 8 at
lower depth. From each location 18 fungal species were isolated and Aspergillus niger was found dominant fungal
species in all locations. From this study it was suggested that less perturbed soil like orchards showed more O.M.
contents indicating higher available nutrients and high fungal population than field crops which were subjected to
more perturbation.