In: Sydowia 78, (2025): 65-74; ISSN 0082-0598, DOI 10.12905/0380.sydowia78-2026-0065, Published online on May 20th, 2025

Phylogenetic status and phosphate solubilizing ability of Circinella muscae (Mucorales, Mucoromycota), isolated from soil, in India

Kajol Yadav, Jitendra R. Patil, Thalline Rafhaella Leite Cordeiro, Andre L.C.M. de A. Santiago,* & Lal Sahab Yadav,*

P.G. Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Chandibai Himathmal Mansukhani College, Ulhasnagar 421003, Thane, Maharashtra, India
Department of Botany, Seva Sadan’s R. K. Talreja College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Ulhasnagar 421003, Thane, Maharashtra, India
Departamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av Professor Nelson Chaves S/N, 50670-420, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
* e-mails: lalsahablal@gmail.com, andrelcabral@msn.com

Yadav K., Patil J.R., Thalline R.L.C., Santiago A.L.C.M.A. & Yadav L.S. (2025) Phylogenetic status and phosphate solubilizing ability of Circinella muscae (Mucorales, Mucoromycota) isolated from soil, in India. – Sydowia 68: 65–74.

During an exploration of fungi from soil in Maharashtra, India, a Mucorales strain CHMC-02 was isolated from the botanical garden soil of CHM College, Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, India. Based on morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of two genes, ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 and 28SrDNA (LSU) the isolate was confirmed to be Circinella muscae in the family Circinellaceae. The strain CHMC-02 demonstrated optimum growth at 28°C, at pH between 5 and 6 on PDA medium. Additionally, a study of its phosphate solubilizing ability showed excellent phosphate solubilization potential with solubilizing index (2.25) on Pikovskaya’s agar plate and also very high phosphate solubilizing ability (342 µg ml–1) in Pikovskaya’s broth after seven days of incubation. The screening of acid resistance study showed that the strain CHMC-02 can grow well at pH ranging from 2.5 to 7.5. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of phosphate solubilization by the C. muscae.

Key words: Circinellaceae, Mucorales, multigenes, phosphate solubilizing index.