Determination of plant growth promotion properties of some endophytic fungi

Plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) generate a variety of non-pathogenic fungi species that provide various benefits to host plants. PGPF shows an active role in sustainable agriculture. Meeting the growing demand for crop production without harming the environment is the biggest challenge nowdays. The use of PGPF has been recognized as an environmentally friendly way to increase crop production. Studies show that fungi can have very important effects on the development of plants. In this thesis, some tests were carried out to determine the plant growth enhancing properties of the fungi, which were previously isolated from St. John's Wort. Tests to determine plant growth enhancing properties were applied. Siderophore Production, IAA Production, Phosphate Solubility, ACC Deaminase Activity and inhibition potentials of these fungi against Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, and pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Yeast Cansida albicans'a which are important soil and plant pathogens were determined. According to the results obtained, F3 showed the highest production of siderophores, and the highest values in terms of IAA production were seen in isolate F7 and F3. The ACC Deaminase activity test gave the most positive results in F16 and F7 isolates. Phosphate Solubility results F9, F21, and F22 were evaluated as positive. As a result of the inhibition tests, isolate no. F3 showed the highest inhibition against Aspergillus, isolate no. F3, F7 and F5 against Staphylococcus aureus, F3, F7 and F5 against Rhizoctonia solani, and F3, F7, D15 and F16 against Klebsiella pneumoniae. The most inhibition against yeast was seen in F3 and F7 isolates. F10, F3, and F21 were the isolates that increased germination among the aforementioned isolates. Therefore, this study constitutes one of the preliminary studies revealing the relevant characteristics of PGPF isolates.