Identification of phosphate-solubilizing fungi from the asparagus rhizosphere as antagonists of the root and crown rot pathogen Fusarium oxysporum

Samaporn Ruangsanka

ABSTRACT: Identification of phosphate solubilizing fungi in the root zone of asparagus that can inhibit the growth of root and crown rot pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum) is important for the development of bio-fertilizer and bio-control strategies for organic production of asparagus. This study aimed to identify fungi with the ability to solubilize phosphate and inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum in vitro. Twenty five soil samples were collected from the asparagus rhizosphere in the planting areas of Dan Ma Kham Tea district, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. A total of 59 fungi that could solubilize phosphate in Pikovskaya medium were isolated from 25 soil samples. Fourteen out of 59 fungal isolates were further screened and four isolates were selected. These isolates were tested for growth inhibition of F. oxysporum. One isolate was identified as Penicillium oxalicum and had the highest phosphate solubilizing ability (556 mg P/l). Another isolate was identified as Aspergillus niger and had the highest pathogen inhibition percentage (64%). These isolates are promising for the development of bio-fertilizer and bio-control of F. oxysporum for organic production of asparagus.

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Faculty of Science and Technology, Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, Kanchanaburi 71190 Thailand

* Corresponding author, E-mail: samako@yahoo.com

Received 25 Jan 2013, Accepted 22 Dec 2013