ABSTRACT
Plant rhizosphere is the soil nearest to the plant root system where roots release large quantity of metabolites from living root hairs or fibrous root systems. The rhizosphere not only represent the trade zone in which pathogens root interact with the plant but it is also a preventive microbial buffer zone that protect against infections. This study was conducted to isolate and characterize microorganism from Rhizophore of different plants. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of different fruit which are pineapple, banana, cherry and orange in Ijebu-North local government area, Ogun State and isolation of bacteria and fungi was done by spread plate techniques. The bacteria population ranged from 1.0 x 104 cfu/g to 9.0 x 104 cfu/g and the highest count was observed in pineapple while the lowest count was observed in cherry. Fungi population ranged from 1.9 x 102 cfu/g to 7.0 x 102 cfu/g and highest fungi count was recorded in pineapple soil sample while the lowest count was recorded in banana. Forty nine (49) bacteria isolates were identified belonging to nine genera. They include Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiellia pneumonae, Enterococcus feacalis, Escherichia coli, Streptococus pyogens, Serratia Mercescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The percentage occurrence of the bacteria isolates showed Bacillus subtilis had the highest percentage with 12(24.49%), followed by followed by Staphylococcus aureus 10(20.41%), Bacillus cereus 8(16.32%), Enterococcus feacalis 5(10.20%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 5(10.20%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3(6.12%), Escherichia coli 2(4.08%) and Streptococcus pyogens 2 (4.08%) and Serratia Mercescens 2(4.08%). The isolated fungi include Penicillium spp., Aspegillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium spp. Aspergillus niger had the highest percentage occurrence with 8(36.36%), followed by Penicilium spp. 6(27.27%) and Fusarium spp. 6(27.27%). The least occurrence was Aspergillus funmigatus with 2(9.0%). Therefore it was that agricultural soil is quite rich in microbial flora which may play important roles in soil fertility and production of grains, fruits, vegetables.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Aim of the Study
1.2 Objectives of the Study
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review
2.1 Rizhosphere
2.2 Rhizosphere Bacterial Diversity
2.3 Plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere
2.4 The Plant Description
2.4.1 Banana
2.4.2 Cherry
2.4.3 Pineapple
2.4.4 Orange
CHAPTER THREE: Material and Methods
3.1 Collection of Samples
3.2 Materials and Media
3.3 Sterilization of Glasswares
3.4 Preparation of Culture Medium
3.5 Isolation of Microorganisms from Soil Samples
3.6 Identification and Characterization of Isolates
3.6.1 Gram Staining
3.6.2 Catalase Test
3.6.3 Citrate Utilization Test
3.6.4 Oxidase test
3.6.5 Urease Test
3.6.6 Triple Sugar Iron Agar Test (TSI)
3.6.7 Sugar Fermentation Test
3.6.8 Indole Test
3.7 Identification of Fungi
CHAPTER FOUR: Results
CHAPTER FIVE: Discussion and Conclusion
5.1 Discussion
5.2 Conclusion
References
