Isolation and Characterization of Endophytic Fungi from Selected Agricultural Crops of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19121514Keywords:
Endophytic fungi, Isolation, Morphological characterization, Agricultural crops, Lake Sebu, South CotabatoAbstract
This study aimed to isolate and characterize endophytic fungi from selected agricultural crops in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Agriculture is vital in the area but faces challenges such as pest infestation, plant diseases, and soil degradation. To address these problems, researchers focused on endophytic fungi—microorganisms that inhabit plant tissues and promote plant growth and resistance. The selected crops were bell pepper, coconut, cassava, rice, corn, papaya, soybean, eggplant, and tomato, chosen because they are the most commonly cultivated crops in Lake Sebu. Leaf samples were collected, surface-sterilized, and cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The isolated fungi showed beneficial traits such as fast growth and resistance to contamination, while some displayed harmful traits like irregular margins and pigmentation. Several isolates were preliminarily identified as belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium. The study highlights the potential of beneficial endophytic fungi to promote sustainable agriculture by serving as natural biocontrol agents and plant growth enhancers, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
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