Some Agricultural Significant Fungi of Himachal Pradesh: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Himachal Pradesh is a hilly state situated in the heart of Himalaya in the Northern part of India. The state extends between 30⁰22’40’ – 33⁰12’20’’ North latitudes and 75⁰44’ 55’’– 79⁰04’20’’ East longitudes. There are large numbers of fungal species in H.P. most which are pathogenic and caused by harmful impact on the crop and plants. But there are some species of fungi which are caused the significant role in the plant growth and prevent the plant from diseases. The most abundant species of fungi which are agriculturally significant found in the Himachal Pradesh are Candida oleophila, Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus fasciculatum) ectomycorrhizal fungi. Also, association of fungi with plant helps in defending against plant pathogens that indirectly promotes plant growth. Now day’s fungi are used in many regions of the world as a biological pest control. Beneficial fungi play a significant role in numerous physiological processes including minerals and water uptake, stomatal movement, photosynthesis and biosynthesis of compounds and mitigation to environmental stress like heat, salinity, cold and heavy metals. Candida oleophila is a yeast-like fungus which is also obtained from the various fruits skin like papaya, pears, apple etc. Most of the species of Candida are ubiquitous. Trichoderma harzianum species are ubiquitous in nature and found in all climatic zone (including temperate and tropical regions, tundra and Antarctic), nearly all soil types (crop fields, desert and marsh) and unusual niches such as lakes, marine bivalves, air, termites and shell fish. There are several antagonistic mechanism used by Trichoderma, mainly the antibiosis and mycoparasitism where it is used as biocontrol agents directly attack the plant pathogen by secreting lytic enzymes. Glomus fasciculatum found in association with great variety of cultivated plants and plants of natural forest communities. It helps in the increases plant growth and development by improving the rooting of micropropagated plantlets. They contribute to plant nutrition acquisitions by influencing the chemical and microbial ecology of the mycorrhizosphere.