Diversity of Rhizospheric Fungal Genera in Vegetable Crops of Burkina Faso

Abstract Vegetable cultivation is a cornerstone of socio-economic development in Burkina Faso, ensuring food security and providing income for local communities. However, soil-borne pathogenic fungi, commonly referred to as soil-borne fungi, threaten crop productivity by causing significant yield losses. These fungi play diverse ecological roles, acting as either pathogens or beneficial organisms, making their characterization essential for sustainable agricultural management. This study aimed to inventory and characterize fungal communities in the rhizosphere of vegetable crops across multiple regions of Burkina Faso. Using the suspension-dilution method combined with macroscopic and microscopic analyses, 11 fungal genera were identified: Penicillium , Aspergillus , Absidia, Trichoderma , Rhizopus , Fusarium, Alternaria , Curvularia , Metarhizium , Pythium , and Colletotrichum . Among these, Trichoderma and Fusarium were the dominant species. Fungal diversity varied among rhizospheres, with tomato and eggplant exhibiting the highest richness (9 genera each). Pathogenicity tests revealed that Fusarium isolates, particularly the F5 isolate, induced severe symptoms in tomato plants, highlighting their pathogenic potential. Conversely, Trichoderma isolates demonstrated high antagonistic activity, inhibiting pathogenic Fusarium and Alternaria strains by more than 60%. These findings highlight the dual role of rhizospheric fungi as both threats and biocontrol agents, providing critical insights for developing integrated pest management strategies to enhance vegetable production in Burkina Faso.