Antecedent/Objective.

Ornamental plants are important for the aesthetics of green areas in Baja California Sur. However, there are few studies related to their influence on soil fungal diversity and edaphological characteristics. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of six ornamental (Euphorbia mili, Ruellia simplex, Catharantus roseus, Centaurea cyanus, Tagetes erecta and Calendula officinalis) on the population, diversity and richness of fungi, as well as their relationship with soil physical and chemical characteristics.

Materials and Methods

. Randomly obtained rhizospheric soil samples were subjected to serial dilutions for isolation, population counting, morphological identification, and the diversity and richness of fungi associated with each ornamental species. In addition, the soil's physical and chemical characteristics were determined at the beginning and end of the experiment. A Person correlation between the variables was also evaluated.

Results

. The highest fungal population was in C. cyanus with 8,096.66 CFU g-1 of soil. While, in E. mili and T. erecta it was reduced to 3,333.33 CFU g-1 of soil. Seven genus were identified, with Aspergillus spp. being the most predominant. While, E. mili and C. cyanus stimulated the greatest diversity (12 and 13 isolates). The correlation analysis was negative.

Conclusion.

This information confirms that the ornamental species C. cyanus has a significant influence on soil ecology by increasing the microbial population (from 2,833.33 to 8,096.66 CFU g -1 of soil) and greatly stimulating its diversity (with seven isolates at the beginning and 13 at the end)

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