Studies on the Rhizosphere Mycoflora of Mangroves

Rhizosphere soil of mangrove plants (Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Ceriopstagal) was collected from coastal areas. Almost all samples showed a sandy to sandy loam texture. pH of the soil samples rangedfrom 7 to 10 and water content ranged from 8% to 9%. In all, 18 species of fungi belonging to 11 genera were isolated from therhizosphere soil of all the mangrove species by direct plating method, whereas 20 fungal species belonging to 11 genera were isolated by serial dilution. Results showed that the greatest number of fungi was isolated by serial dilution. The maximum numberof species was obtained from the rhizosphere soil of A. marina, whereas the lowest number of fungi was obtained from the rhizosphere soil of A. corniculatum.