Isolations from the cow dung, goat pellets, poultry waste manure and plant debris samples yielded 44 fungal and 15 bacterial species. The isolated fungi included 13 mesophilic, 11 thermotolerant and 20 thermophilic species. Similarly, six mesophilic, five thermotolerant, and four thermophilic bacteria were isolated. Of these, three species of fungi viz., Annelophora africana, Conidiobolus thermophilus and Haplotrichum croceum appeared to be new records from Pakistan, not hitherto reported. The highest percentage of thermophilic fungi and bacteria occurred in cow dung followed by goat pellet, poultry waste and plant debris in descending order. Similarly, highest percentage of thermotolerant fungi and bacteria occurred in goat pellet followed by poultry waste, cow dung and plant debris, respectively. The highest percentage of mesophilic fungi and bacteria occurred in plant debris followed by poultry waste, goat pellet and cow dung. The growth of thermophilic fungi was better on yeast starch agar (YSA) as compared to potato sucrose agar (PSA) medium. However, the thermotolerant fungi showed better growth on PSA medium. Among the mesophilic fungi, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium dipodomyis, Stachybotrys chartarum and Syncephalastrum racemosum showed better growth on YSA medium, whereas, PSA was more suitable for the remaining mesophilic fungi. The optimal temperature for growth of the mesophilic microorganisms was 28°C whereas thermotolerant and thermophilic microorganisms grew best at 40 and 50°C, respectively.

The root-infecting fungi can be controlled by pelleting seeds with biocontrol agents as it is safe and effective method. Additionally, plant growth was promoted more by this method. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.