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ABSTRACT
Herbicide residues in ecosystems are a major problem because of their extremely hazardous nature and protracted environmental persistence. Hence this study hope to determine the biodegradation potential of fungi on Haloxyfop-R methyl ester is a member of the aryloxyphenoxy-propionate herbicide family. Soil samples were obtained from active farmland close to the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, faculty of agricultural science farm land and F. Morris filling station University of Benin, Benin city. Using cultural and morphological parameters the biodegradative abilities of the fungal isolates were determined and identified. The results shows that the total heterotrophic fungal counts on PDA obtained from the sample soils ranged from 1.06x103 ± 1.20 CFU/g to 3.73x103 ± 2.03 CFU/g, while the fungal counts obtained on Mineral salt medium (MSM) media ranged from 3.07x102 ± 1.76 CFU/g to 4.93x102 ± 2.60 CFU/g. The fungal isolates identified were, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., Fusarium spp. and Mucor spp. the biodegradative properties of the fungal isolates. The parameters that were used for the biodegradation of the Haloxyfop-R methyl ester by the fungal isolates are pH, turbidity and dissolved CO2 and it was carried out for 7 days. From the results of the biodegradation, Aspergillus spp demonstrated the highest propensity to degrade Haloxyfop-R methyl ester herbicide within a 7 day period.This study therefore demonstrates the abilities of fungi to degrade haloxyfop-R methyl ester, as such opens the door for developing methods aimed to reduce contamination by haloxyfop-R methyl ester in soil and aquatic environments.
