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Poplar
2020, Issue 205, p. 5-13

Original scientific paper
UDC: 630*443.3:582.632.2(676.2)

Fungal Microflora Biodiversity of Healthy and Diseased Adansonia digitata and Sclerocarya birrea Trees in Kenya


Sheillah Cherotich 1*, Japhet Muthamia 1, Jane Njuguna 2, Alice Muchugi 3, Daniel Otaye 1, Ignazio Graziosi 3, Zakayo Kinyanjui 3


1 Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, P.O Box 536-20115, Njoro, Kenya
2 Department of Plant Pathology, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P.O Box 20412-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
3 Genetic Resource Unit, World Agroforestry Centre, P.O Box 30677-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Corresponding author:
Sheillah Cherotich, E-mail: cherotich.sheillah@yahoo.com


Abstract

A study was conducted in Eastern Kenya to assess incidence and severity of Adansonia digitata and Sclerocarya birrea diseases under seasonal variations, and to assess associated fungal genera and their distribution. Asymptomatic and symptomatic tissues were sampled from 175 randomly selected trees. Isolations were done from leaves, twigs and bark following laboratory standard procedures. Samples were plated on Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and incubated at 25oC for 7 days. Fungal colonies were evaluated, and pure cultures were obtained using a single hypha. Fungal pathogens were identified based on morphological characteristics of cultures and spores. Statistical analysis were done using GENSTAT version 18. Fungal morphotypes isolated included: Pestalotia (39.0%), Botryosphaeria (41.0%), Fusarium (12.0%), Alternaria (7.9%) and Cladosporium (0.1%). There were no stastically significant differences (p<0.01) in number of isolated fungi among different plant samples and sampling locations. This is the first detailed study on fungal diversity associated with diseased and healthy A. digitata and S. birrea trees in Kenya and it clearly indicates the need for detailed studies of fungal species isolated to develop mitigation strategies.


Keywords: Adansonia digitata, Botryosphaeria, Fusarium, fungal microflora, Pestalotia, Sclerocarya birrea.
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University of Novi Sad
Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment
Antona Čehova 13d
21000 Novi Sad
Republic of Serbia
Tel: +381 21 540 383
E-mail: ilfe@uns.ac.rs
www.ilfe.org