Ecological Parameters of Numerical Diversity of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Soils of Beit Saber and Henna, Rif Damascus Governorate, Syria
Alshadidi1,2*, J. Faddoul2 and A. Basheer1,2
(1) Biological Control Studies and Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria; (2) Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria. *Email address of corresponding author: b.alshadidi@gmail.com
Received: 22/2/2023; Accepted: 15/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001227
Abstract
The diversity and seasonal abundance of entomopathogenic fungi were investigated in soil samples collected from two locations (Beit Saber and Henna) in Rif Damascus Governorate, Syria, during 2020–2021. Soil samples from several agricultural orchard fields were collected and brought to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center laboratory (BCSRC). Fungal species diversity was assessed using two indicators: species richness (S) and Shannon index (H). Results revealed the presence of 18 species of entomopathogenic fungi, belonging to 12 diverse genera. The genus Beauveria was the most frequent and abundant comprising 14.3% of the total number of the isolates. The diversity indices varied between the two studied locations. The highest value of Shannon-Weiner index for diversity was recorded at Beit Saber location (2.75), whereas the lowest value was observed at Henna location (2.64). The maximum similarity index (SQ) between the two locations was 0.91.
Keywords:
Biological diversity, species richness, entomopathogenic fungi.