Effect of some common rhizosphere fungi on root growth of seedlings

Summary The effect of some common rhizosphere fungiviz Aspergillus niger, A. terreus, A. flavus, Fusarium nivale, Cunninghamella echinulata, Trichoderma viride andPaecilomyces fusisporus on the root growth of seedlings ofDichanthium annulatum andSetaria glauca was studied. The seedlings grown in modified Crone's nutrient medium were inoculated with the test fungi. In uninoculated control tubes, seedlings showed normal root growth. The different fungi exceptF. nivale were found to reduce root growth considerably. WithA. niger besides reduction in root length, the leaves of the seedlings were found to turn yellow. The reduction in root growth in the presence of fungi was statistically significant.