Studies on Physicochemical Properties of Rhizosphere and Mycoflora Composition of Rhizoplane of Maize (Zea Mays) Plants within Bida Metropolis, Niger State Nigeria

Abstract

Maize plant (Zea mays) is known to have mycoflora associated with its rhizoplane which have several potential beneficial activities to the plant. The rhizoplane flora and by extension the maize plant is greatly affected by the physicochemical properties of the soil. This study therefore assessed some physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere and mycoflora associated with rhizoplane of maize plant in selected farmlands in Bida, Niger State. Rhizosphere and rhizoplane samples of maize plants were collected from three farms namely Bangaie, Kuchi Banko and Kuchi Woro all within Bida metropolis, Niger State Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters including pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Organic Matter (TOM), Total Organic Nitrogen (TON), Sodium (K), Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg) and Potassium (K) contents of the rhizosphere of maize plants were determined as described by American Public Health Association (APHA). Rhizoplane mycoflora of the maize plant were also enumerated, isolated and characterized using standard mycological techniques including cultural and microscopic characteristics. The physicochemical properties ranges of the maize plants’ rhizosphere soil include pH (8.95 - 9.75), EC (54µS/cm-208 µS/cm), TOC (0.52 - 2.96%), TOM (0.89 - 5.09%), TON (0.19 - 0.40%), Sodium (108.2 - 131.1mg/kg), Phosphorus (2.85 - 4.22mg/kg), Magnesium (354 - 1708mg/kg) and Potassium (256.5mg/kg-304.3mg/kg). The mean fungal population of the maize rhizoplane ranged from 5 – 9 cfu/g. Meanwhile, cultural and microscopic characteristics identified the fungal species as Coccidiodes immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhodococcus equi, Fusarium equiseti, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger, Microsporum canis, Aspergillus flavus and Phaeoacremonium parasiticum. Farmers, businesses, and government organizations can exploit the data generated on the physicochemical parameters of these farmlands obtained in this study, while fungal species isolated can be screened for their potential agricultural and biotechnological importance.