Molecular Identification of Fungal Pathogens Isolated from Bt. Cotton Grown in Saline Soils of Akola and Buldhana Districts, Maharashtra, India

Authors

  • Rupali Deshmukh Department of Microbiology, Shankarlal Khandelwal Art, Science and Commerce College, Akola
  • Dnyansagar Bhokare Department of Microbiology, Shankarlal Khandelwal Art, Science and Commerce College, Akola
  • Yash Sharma Department of Microbiology, Shankarlal Khandelwal Art, Science and Commerce College, Akola

Keywords:

Cotton, Saline Soil, Fungal pathogen, Rhizosphere Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the world’s most important fiber crops, but its productivity is severely affected by soil salinity and fungal diseases, particularly in the saline–sodic cotton-growing regions of Akola and Buldhana districts in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The present study aims to isolate and identify fungal phytopathogens associated with Bt cotton grown in saline soils. The 32 samples were collected from infected cotton plants from saline-affected fields, and fungal pathogens were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Three fungal pathogens were identified on the basis of morphological and microscopic examination and molecular characterization. The most frequently recovered species were Aspergillus niger (52%) Fusarium oxysporum (26%), Rhizopus arrhizus (22%). 

 

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Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Rupali Deshmukh, Dnyansagar Bhokare, & Yash Sharma. (2026). Molecular Identification of Fungal Pathogens Isolated from Bt. Cotton Grown in Saline Soils of Akola and Buldhana Districts, Maharashtra, India. International Journal of Life Sciences, 14(3), 271–278. Retrieved from https://ijlsci.in/ls/index.php/home/article/view/1740

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 3 (2026): International Journal of Life Sciences

Section

Research Articles

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