SOIL FUNGI IN BANANA PLANTATIONS IN ASSIUT GOVERNORATE AND SOME ENZYMATIC POTENTIAL OF THE MOST COMMON SPECIES

This study aimed at studying the mycobiota in soil of banana plantations in Assiut Governorate, Egypt during the spring 2007 to summer 2008 as well as evaluating enzyme potential of the most commonly isolated species. The dilution plate-technique and three isolation media and incubation at 28°C and 45°C were used for the isolation. Seventy six species and 2 varieties belonging to 47 genera were recovered. The total number of propagules isolated on cellulose-Czapek's agar at 28°C was much more than those obtained on both glucose-Czapek's agar at 28°C and on YpSs agar at 45°C. The fungal diversity on cellulose-Czapek's agar was also higher than those recorded on glucose-Czapek's agar and YpSs agar. The most common mesophilic fungi were species of Aspergillus, Myrothecium verrucaria, Penicillium, Petromyces, Stachybotrys, Fusarium and Acremonium. The most common thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi were Aspergillus, Acrophialophora, Emericella, Malbranchea, Melanocarpus, Neosartorya and Thermomyces. Among the 22 tested strains for enzyme-producing abilities Alternaria alternata was the most potent in producing Endo-1,4-β-glucanases while Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus terreus, Bionectria ochroleuca, Clonostachys rosea f. catenulata, Cochliobolus lunatus, Phoma epicoccina and Talaromyces flavus were the most pectinase producing, Acremonium strictum and Cochliobolus lunatus were the most L-asparaginase producing.