Seasonal effect on the diversity of soil fungi and screening for arsenic tolerance and their remediation

Abstract

The seasonal variations were closely linked to climatic factors such as air temperature, rainfall, humidity, and other factors, all of which had a significant impact on soil characteristics, organic matter, and microbial population. The nutritional and physicochemical characteristics of their environment have an impact on soil microbe survival and dissemination. Heavy metal deposition in soil and plants, both edible and non-edible components, is linked to the consumption of heavy metal contaminated foods and the substantial health risks they provide. Seasonal diversity of soil fungi, as well as the screening of arsenic-resistant fungi and their ability to play a substantial role in bioremediation, was investigated in this work. The highest number of fungal species (17) was likewise found in the winter season, while the lowest number of species (11) was found in the summer. There were seven Aspergillus species, four Penicillium species, two Alternaria species, and single species of other fungi found. During the monsoon and winter seasons, the population of Aspergillus niger was at its peak. The genus Penicillium, on the other hand, reaches its peak number during the summer. Five fungi, Aspergillus nidulans, A. niger, Aspergillus sp. isolate HKK4, Aspergillus sp., and Penicillium sp., were found as arsenic tolerant. Aspergillus sp. isolate HKK4, which was isolated as arsenic tolerant and could tolerate more than 500 ppm of arsenic, outperformed all other fungus in terms of P-solubilization and arsenic removal.