STUDIES ON THE MYCOFLORA IN THE RHIZOSPHERE OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L.).

The rhizosphere mycoflora of two varieties of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) was studied qualitatively and quantitatively from sugarcane plantation in Baramati tehsil. Two sugarcane varieties viz. CO 86032 and CO 0265 were investigated. With age activities of fungi increased. When near maturity the number of colonies declined. Isolated fungi from both rhizosphere and non rhizosphere soil were dominated by Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Rhizopus. Fungi including Fusarium spp., and dark sterile mycelia were present in higher frequencies on root surfaces than in the surrounding soils. Although the results were slightly varying the number and the type of fungal colonies in both the varieties were nearly same.