Rhizosphere mycology of three maize varieties

The rhizosphere mycology of quality protein maize (QPM), local maize (LM) and tropical Zea mays early (TZE) maize were studied and results evaluated in terms of frequency of occurrence and species predominance. The findings revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the fungal loads in both the rhizosphere and rhizoplane between QPM and the other two maize varieties. The two predominant fungal species isolated from the rhizosphere of the three maize varieties were Trichoderma and Fusarium species. Trichoderma spp. was the most predominant fungus in the rhizoplane and rhizosphere of QPM, LM and TZE maize varieties except in the rhizosphere of LM where Aspergillus niger was the most predominant species.