Diversity, Succession and Seasonal Variation of Phylloplane Mycoflora of Leucaena leucocephala in Relation to Its Leaf Litter Decomposition

Abstract

To address international food security concerns and sustain a growing global population, global agricultural output needs to increase by 70% by the year 2050. Current agricultural techniques to increase crop yields, specifically the application of chemicals, have resulted in a wide range of negative impacts on the environment and human health. The maintenance of good quality soil organic matter, a key concern in tropical countries such as India, requires a steady input of organic residues to maintain soil fertility. A tree with many uses, Leucaena leucocephala, has attracted much attention over the past decades. As per our literature review, no research has been conducted examining Leucaena leucocephala leaves for their fungal decomposition and their use as green manure. A study of the fungal colonization of Leucaena leucocephala leaves at various stages of decomposition was conducted to get an insight into which fungi play a critical role in the decomposition process. In total, fifty-two different species of fungi were isolated. There was an increase in the percentage of fungus occurrences as the leaves senesced and then finally decomposed. Almost all decomposition stages were characterized by a higher percentage occurrence of Deuteromycetes (75.47%) and by a lower rate of Ascomycetes (9.43%). A gradual increase of basidiomycetes such as unidentified sclerotia and Rhizoctonia solani was seen as the leaves senesced and finally decomposed. In the moist chamber, Didymium nigripes was the only Myxomycete isolated from completely decomposed leaves. In the present study, on average, there were more fungi in wet seasons than in the dry seasons.

Plant and Trees Pathogens: Isolation, Characterization and Control Strategies (1.0)

“…The study also highlighted the importance of monitoring the fungal colonization of L. leucocephala leaves during the decomposition process, to identify the fungal species responsible for decomposition and understand the dynamics of nutrient cycling in the soil. Moreover, the study found that wet seasons had more fungi on average than dry seasons [19].…”

“…The study established by Gulati et al [19] investigated the potential use of Leucaena leucocephala leaves as green manure, and identified the fungal species responsible for their decomposition. The study was motivated by the necessity to increase global agricultural output by 70% by the year 2050, to address international food security concerns, while also addressing the negative impacts of current agricultural techniques on the environment and human health.…”

Nutrient Composition of Yellow Malay Dwarf Coconut Tree (Cocos Nucifera L.) Leaf Using Green Manures

“…Perennial legumes, in addition to providing nitrogen to the coconut palm, increase the content of organic matter and protect the soil against erosion (Mukhametovet al, 2021). The use of species such as Leucaenaleucocephala (Gulati et al, 2022), Gliricidiasepium (Kabaet al, 2019), Clitoriaternatea (Hamza, 2021) and Mucunapruriens (Rugareet al, 2020) var. utilis, are good alternatives as green manures in regions with dry periods since, due to their pivoting root system, they exert less competition with the coconut palm.…”