Diversity of Fungi from Soils of Artemisia Annua L. Plantation in a Nigerian University.

Abstract

Abstract-The Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (CBGE), University of Jos Artemisia annua L. Plantation situated at Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government of Plateau State, Nigeria has been unexplored particularly of its filamentous fungal diversity. This present study examined the diversity and abundance of filamentous fungi, pH, moisture and organic matter contents as well as elemental analysis of the Plantation soils which have stood uncultivated for years. Soil samples were collected (at a depth of 0-10 cm) from three locations selected randomly with cleaned and surface sterilized soil auger. The soil samples were collected on a monthly basis for 12months during both dry and rainy seasons. A total of 669 positive isolations were obtained. Of the number, 439 isolations were mesophilic, 109 were thermotolerant and 121 were thermophilic isolates. A total of 387 isolations were obtained during the dry season and 282 during the rainy season. The dry season had a higher diversity index than the rainy season. The most dominant genus was Aspergillus with A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. oryzae and A scleretiorum the most abundant species. The genera of Aspergillus and Penicillium had the highest species richness. Fungal diversity and abundance were influenced by soil pH, moisture and organic matter content.