Fungi associated with ornamental plants in some Nurseries in Al-Qurayyat, Jouf region, Saudi Arabia.

Background and Objectives: Fungi communities are important soil components as decomposers and plant symbionts, and they play an important part in natural ecological and biogeochemical processes. In this study, isolation and identification of terrestrial and zoosporic fungi were detected. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven fungal species from thirty-four genera were isolated from 45 soil samples obtained randomly from nurseries in Al-Qurayyat, Jouf reagon, Saudi Arabia using the soil dilution technique on glucose-Czapek's agar medium, cellulose-Czapek's agar, and Potato dextrose agar medium.Authentic fungus manuals were then used to identify and characterise the mycoflora. Results: A total of 46 fungal species belonging to 22 terrestrial fungal genera were recovered on glucose-Czapek's agar, 38 species belonging to 20 terrestrial fungal genera were recovered on cellulos-Czapek's agar and 27 fungal species belonging to 15 terrestrial fungal genera were recovered on PDA medium while 12 species belonging to 7 genera zoosporic fungal genera were discovered. Conclusion: The most common terrestrial fungal genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Acremonium, and Cladosopium while in zoosporic fungus. Allomyces was the most prevalent, followed by Achlya and Pythium.

Bioremoval capacity of phenol by some selected endophytic fungi isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa and batch biodegradation of phenol in paper and pulp effluents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of endophytic fungi for management of phenol residue in paper and pulp industries has been shown as cost-effective and eco-friendly approach. In this study, isolation of endophytic fungi from roots, stems, and leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa was conducted. Additionally, the isolated fungi were examined for their ability to degrade phenol and its derivatives in paper and pulp industrial samples, using different growth conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 35 isolated endophyitc fungi, 31 were examined for their phenol biodegradation capacity using Czapek Dox broth medium containing Catechol and Resorcinol as a sole carbon source at final concentrations of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%. RESULTS: A total of 35 fungal species belonging to 18 fungal genera were isolated and identified from different parts of H. sabdariffa plants. All strains have the capability for degrading phenol and their derivatives with variable extents. The optimum condition of degrading phenol in paper and pulp effluent samples by Fusarium poae11r7 were at pH 3-5, temperature at 28-35°C, good agitation speed at no agitation and 100 rpm. CONCLUSION: All endophytic fungal species can utilize phenol and its derivatives as a carbon source and be the potential to degrade phenol in industrial contaminants.