ASSESSMENT OF PLANT PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND FUNGI FROM Talinium fruticosum RHIZOSPHERE

Abstract

Talinium fruticosum, commonly known as water leaf is treasured for its medicinal properties and nutritional value. With the T. fruticosum rhizosphere reported to be an active region crowded with beneficial and plant-pathogenic bacteria and fungi, it will be necessary to ascertain if utilizing the microorganisms from T. fruticosum rhizosphere in enhancing plant growth could be a way of introducing plant pathogens to plants. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the diversity and pathogenic potential of bacterial and fungal communities in T. fruticosum rhizosphere. Using standard techniques, the soil samples collected from T. fruticosum rhizosphere and their corresponding bulk soils which serve as the control were analyzed for pathogenic bacterial and fungal communities in T. fruticosum rhizosphere and bulk soils. The expressed phenotypic pathogenicity of the isolates was evaluated using cellulolytic and pectinolytic tests. Results showed that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the number of pathogenic bacteria and fungi present in T. fruticosum rhizosphere soils when compared to bulk soils. Bacterial isolates (Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Serratia sp., and Alcaligenes) seen in T. fruticosum rhizosphere were also present in bulk soil samples. However, Bacillus sp., predominated the T. fruticosum rhizosphere samples while Alcaligenes predominated the bulk soil. Furthermore, fungal isolates show that Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Rhizopus were only seen in T. fruticosum rhizosphere soil samples and Aspergillus niger, Trichorderma, and Rhodoturula were only seen in bulk soil samples. Our findings highlight the presence of several potentially harmful microorganisms, including Enterobacter sp., Serratia sp., Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., and Rhizopus sp., which could pose a threat to the health and productivity of plants. Although T. fruticosum rhizosphere soil is seen as a likely pool of useful microbiomes that are source of biofertilizers and biocontrol agents, understanding these microbial communities is vital for developing strategies to manage plant diseases and enhance crops.