Mycobi̇ota of Orchards Culti̇vated i̇n Azerbai̇jan and the İmpact of These Fungi̇ on Physi̇ologi̇cal Processes i̇n Plants

In the conducted studies, a number of fruits distributed in the Greater Caucasus part of Azerbaijan were analyzed according to fungal microbiota. The majority of recorded fungi, more precisely 96.3%, belong to true fungi (Mycota or Fungi), and 3.7% belong to fungus-like organisms (Chromista). Most of the recorded true fungi, more precisely 67.0% (64.4% of total fungi) belong to Ascomycota, 26.0% (25.0%) to Basidiomycota, 6.8 % (6.5%) belongs to zygomycetes (Mycormycota). Parasitic fungi such as Alternaria, Erysiphe, Puccinia, and Phytophthora damage plant tissues by causing diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and root rot, respectively, and cover the leaf surface by causing necrosis and spots on the leaves, destroying tissues, and thus reducing the photosynthetic capacity of the plant. Fungi of the genus Fusarium and Phytophthora damage plant roots, impairing water absorption by the roots, disrupting the water balance and causing wilting. Some fungi also disrupt the hormonal balance in plants by secreting hormones and toxins.