H. N. Ukoima , M. A. Amakiri , M. O. Adeniji , L. A. Dan-Kalio

Abstract

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of pH and sodium chloride (NaCl) on the growth of Pestalotia dicheata (Speg) Stepaert and Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon isolated from Rhizophora mangle, Rhizophora harrisonii and Avicennia africana in Port- Harcourt, Nigeria. Similarly, the ability of fungi isolated from mangrove soil to grow on petroleum hydrocarbon was tested. The results obtained showed that the best pH range for the growth of P. dichaeta was pH4.0 (with mycelia dry weight of 0.927g).The least growth was in pH 3.0 (0.121g), while the best pH range for the growth of F. moniliforme was pH 8.0 (mycelia dry weight 1.363g) and the least pH which enhanced the growth of the fungus was pH 3.0 (mycelia dry weight 0.050g). The best sodium chloride chloride (NaCl) concentration that increased the growth of P. dichaeta was 20% NaCl (mycelia dry weight of 1.482g) and the least growth was obtained in 0% NaCl (mycelia dry weight 0.344g). These results were significant at (P< 0.05). The fungi isolated from mangrove soil which grew on petroleum hydrocarbon were : A. niger, A. flavus, Thielaviopsis basicola, Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp.

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H. N. Ukoima , S. A. Wemedo , F. Mopho

Abstract

Bacterial pathogens of White mangrove (Avicennia africana) were investigated in Port- Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. Leaves and seeds samples (healthy and unhealthy) were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. Mean counts of bacteria for samples were: healthy leaves 1.04×10⁴cfu/ml; unhealthy leaves 1.16×10⁴cfu/ml; healthy seeds 1.15×10⁴cfu/ml and unhealthy seeds 7.65×10³cfu/ml distilled water extract. Seven bacterial genera associated with white mangrove were isolated with varying frequencies and they include Acinetobacter (4%), Alcaligenes (4%), Bacillus (20%), Corynebacterium (44%), Enterobacter (12%), Staphylococus (4%) and Streptomyces (12%). Corynebacterium species occurred in both healthy and unhealthy samples of leaves and seeds. However, counts of healthy and unhealthy leaf and seed samples are not significantly different at P>0.5.

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