Analysis on the microbial density and fungal pathogens (Pythium sp. and Fusarium sp.) of ginger cultivation soils between Bukit Tinggi and Karak.

Gurdev Singh, Sukhvinder Singh (2018) Analysis on the microbial density and fungal pathogens (Pythium sp. and Fusarium sp.) of ginger cultivation soils between Bukit Tinggi and Karak. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is categorized as perennial monocotyledonous herb that exhibits several useful medicinal properties that acts pre-dominantly in the case of pain, inflammation, and also gastrointestinal disorders. This plant that belongs to the family known as Zingiberaceae is prone to various kind of diseases during their growth stages and this has significantly lead to ginger yield losses. Disease invasion especially by pathogenic fungi has then been the one of the major contributors in restricting a higher yield rate in this crop. Some of the major fungal diseases reported by farmers that affects production of Bentong ginger are caused by Pythium sp. and Fusarium sp. The objectives of my study were to profile the microbial communities in the soil between both locations of ginger plantation, isolate and characterize both pathogenic fungus morphologically and also determining the survivability of both specified pathogens in cocopeat medium. Sampling of soil and disease infected ginger was carried out at Bukit Tinggi and Karak which are the major Bentong ginger production areas. Total DNA extraction from soil samples were performed using DNA extraction kit (Mo Bio Power Faecal DNA isolation kit) and conventional method to analyse and compare microbial communities in the soil samples. Isolation of both Pythium sp. and Fusarium sp. were carried out using selective media namely Malachite Green agar and Potato Dextrose Agar supplemented with antibiotics. Despite multiple trials and repeat, microbial community studies of the soil samples via molecular method yielded less promising results. This has led to initiation of conventional method of agar plating targeting major soil microbes including Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Actinomycetes sp. Results for the plate count showed positive bacterial isolation with the significance in the population of the specified bacteria genera across three soil sample were analysed and discussed. Both fungal pathogens have been successfully isolated from the soil with the help of selective media and baiting technique. The isolated fungal pathogens were then grown on cocopeat medium to test their survivability on the medium for both pathogens. Both pathogens have showed positive growth on cocopeat indicating that cocopeat is a suitable medium to host both pathogens. Although analysis of soil microbial communities via molecular means yielded inconclusive results, potential drawbacks for the DNA extraction from soil have been discussed and further optimisations have been suggested for future research.