Impact of land use on distribution and diversity of Fusarium species in Taita, Kenya
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Date
2009
Authors
Maina, Peter K.
Okoth, Sheila
Monda, E. O.
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Abstract
The effect of Land Use Types (LUTs) on distribution
and diversity of Fusarium species in soil were
evaluated in Taita Taveta district, Kenya. Soil samples
were collected from sixty points across a land use
gradient covering six different LUTs, at 0 to 10 and 10
to 20 cm soil depths. Using Fusarium-selective media,
a total of 1865 Fusarium isolates were recovered from
the soil samples which resulted into 26 Fusarium
species with Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium
solani being the dominant species in this area.
Difference in Fusarium abundance, diversity and
richness across the LUTs was significant (P<0.001)
with horticulture being the richest and the most diverse
LUT. The top soil layer had significantly higher
Fusarium abundance and richness (P<0.05). A
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on the
relative Fusarium species abundance differentiated the
LUTs with 79.69 %. There were significant positive
correlation between P and pH levels with Fusaria
abundance, richness and diversity (P<0.001).
Abundance and diversity of Fusarium was also
positively correlated with soil Mg and K (P<0.05).
However, a significant negative correlation between
exchangeable acidity and abundance (r=-0.605),
richness (r=-1.317) and diversity (r=-0.16) was
observed (P<0.05). Negative correlation was also
observed between Nitrogen and richness (r=-2.94) and
diversity (r=-0.67) of Fusarium species.
Description
Available at redalyc.uaemex.mx/redalyc/pdf/939/93913057008.pdf
Keywords
Land Use Type, Fusarium spp., Soil depth, Soil chemicals
Citation
Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 11 (2009): 323 - 335