Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(8): 3771-3780 3771 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.708.384 Physicochemical Characterization and Papulation Dynamics of Mycoflora in Infected Rhizosphere Soil of Onion White Rot caused by Sclerotium cepivorum V.R. Kumbhar 1 , S.R. Mane 1 , G.M. Birajdar 1 , S.A. Bansode 1 , C.S. Swami 2 and U.N. Bhale 1 * 1 Research Laboratory, Dept of Botany, Arts, Science and Commerce College, Naldurg, Tq. Tuljapur, Osmanabad 413602, Maharashtra, India 2 Dept of Botany, Dayanand Science College Latur-413512, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important vegetable for potential foreign exchange earners for a country like India, as it is second largest producer of onions after China, producing 1.6 million MT annually FAO (2012). It is also known as “queen of kitchen”. Productivity of onion is affected by many biotic and abiotic stresses especially diseases. The onion producing states in India includes mainly, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujrat, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, among these state Maharashtra is contributed 32.6% of the total production (Anonymous, 2009). The soil microbes decompose the plant and animal residues entering the soil and convert them into soil organic matter, which influences on soil physical, chemical and biological properties and on creating a complimentary medium for biological reactions and life support in the soil environment. Never the less enhanced site-specific diversity typically results in higher levels of below ground International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 08 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com The present study describes physicochemical characterization and rhizosphere soil mycoflora in the field of onion white rot caused by Sclerotium cepivorum. Soil fungi in onion infected field need to improve knowledge of diversity of fungi associated with white rot of onion. Infected rhizosphere soil, sixteen physicochemical parameters were analysed. It founds alkaline pH but EC, N, Ca, Na, B, S and Mo contents were found least whereas OC, P, K, Zn and Cu high in infected soil as compared to standard range. Due to infected soil, chemical analysis is also hanged. Fifteen samples of soil were carried out during June- Sept and Dec-Feb 2017. In all the 09 genera and 10 species were observed from infected soil. Mucor, Rhizopus and Aspergillus species were found dominant. Total number of fungal species colony was found dominant in Osmanabad (OD) site. Parentage of frequency and % of abundance was found more in Rhizopus stolonifer (80% and 15.39%) respectively. Keywords Mycoflora, Rhizosphere, Onion and Sclerotium cepivorum Accepted: 20 July 2018 Available Online: 10 August 2018 Article Info