Identification of Aspergillus and Penicillium Flora of the Soils of Yüzüncü Yil University Campus Field (Van-Türkiye)

Abstract

Determining microbial community diversity and investigating the fundamental mechanisms underlying biogeographic models are crucial for ensuring community stability and identifying their relationships with ecosystem functions. Van province (Turkey) possesses rich biodiversity due to its location in the Lake Van basin and the presence of volcanic mountains. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the soil microfungi at the genus and species level in the region within the university campus area located within the borders of Van province. In addition, soil samples from the campus area were chemically analyzed and examined in terms of soil structure. In this study, microfungus isolation was performed from the samples using the Soil Dilution Plate Method. Samples were collected from 5 sampling stations in the Yüzüncü Yıl University campus area over a one-year period. A total of 25 different Aspergillus and Penicillium species were identified in the study. It was determined that 8 (33%) species belonged to the Aspergillus genus, 14 (58%) species and 1 variety to the Penicillium genus, and 2 (8%) species to the Eupenicillium genus. Among these, 5 Penicillium species are new records for soil mycoflora in Türkiye. It is stated that the Aspergillus and Penicillium species found in our study will serve as a resource for further studies in this region. It will be beneficial to identify subsoil fungi in increasing the productivity of aboveground plants.