Fungal Flora of Agroforestry Trees at Hamelmalo Agricultural College Campus, Eritrea: Occurrence and Diversity

Abstract

Agroforestry, which involves the mixed cultivation of trees and woody plants that persist for more than two years, provides significant benefits, including timber, medicine, shade, and soil improvement. However, the health of these perennial species can be compromised by pathogens and saprobes, highlighting the need for understanding the diseases affecting them. This study was conducted over six months at Hamelmalo Agricultural College to survey and identify pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms impacting forest trees. The survey included 21 woody and shrubby tree species. Suspected diseased samples were collected and inoculated onto Potato Dextrose Agar media for incubation and microbiota identification. Out of nine identified diseases, common afflictions included leaf blights, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and anthracnose. A total of 20 fungal species were identified, with the most prevalent being Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Ascochyta graminicola, Cladosporium oxysporum, Curvularia clavata, Fusarium spp., and Septogloeum. The study also revealed that many other tree species are affected by diseases that are not yet documented, which could impact the utility of these trees. This research underscores the importance of monitoring and managing tree health in agroforestry systems to mitigate the effects of disease on valuable tree resources.