Author/Authors :
Anwar, Waheed University of the Punjab - Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Pakistan , Khan, Salik Nawaz University of the Punjab - Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Pakistan , Aslam, Muhammad Directorate General Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides, Pakistan , Haider, Muhammad Saleem University of the Punjab - Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Pakistan , Shahid, Ahmad Ali University of the Punjab - Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Pakistan , Ali, Muhammad University of the Punjab - Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Pakistan
Abstract :
In this study, occurrence frequency as well as insect associated fungal flora from the soil ofcotton zone was investigated. Insect associated fungi were classified as entomopathogens, secondary colonizers and opportunistic pathogens isolated from soils through Gallaria mellonella bait method. Twenty soil samples from Cotton zone (Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal) were analyzed for occurrence frequency of insect related fungi. Occurrence frequency of Entomopathogenic fungi among all types of observed fungal species was the highest in District Rahim Yar Khan that was found to be 7.35 % in comparison with that of6.21 % in District Sahiwal. Occurrence frequency of opportunistic fungi among all types of observed fungal species was the highest in District Rahim Yar Khan that was found to be55.86 % in comparison with 54.28 % in District Sahiwal. Frequency of occurrence of secondary colonizers was the highest in District Sahiwal that was found to be 39.55% among all types of observed fungal species in comparison with that of 36.75% in District Rahim Yar Khan. The absolute value of Beta Diversity (β) of entomopathogenic fungi was 2 in cotton zone while in opportunistic fungi and secondary colonizers; it was zero in cotton agroecological zone.
Keywords :
Beta diversity , Cotton agroecological zone , Entomopathogens , Frequency of occurrence
