M Yahya Allawi - Environmental Science Department, College of Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
B Salim Al-Taie - Environmental Science Department, College of Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
R. M Hmoshi - Environmental Science Department, College of Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

Penicillium species is one of the most common microscopic filamentous fungi that have been isolated from widespread substrates. In this study, soil samples from different areas of Mosul, Iraq, were examined by morphological and molecular methods. Fungi were isolated and grown in diagnostic culture media, including Czapek Yeast Extract Agar, Malt Extract Agar, and ۲۵% Glycerol nitrate agar at different temperatures of ۱۵, ۲۰, ۲۵, and ۳۰°C. The growth rate of the fungus was also evaluated in the culture containing K۲HPO۴. In the molecular method, the obtained fragment was sequenced using the Internal Transcribed Spacer region primers after replication. Morphological evaluation of both macroscopic and microscopic features revealed that strains were Penicillium rubens, and molecular methods used have confirmed the isolated strain. The results of this study showed a decrease in the diameters of the colonies at different growth temperatures when doubling the amount of K۲HPO۴. In addition, the findings revealed that compared to growth inhibition in the control groups, the maximum growth inhibition was ۱۶ and ۲۹ mm on Czapek Dox Agar (modified) medium at incubation temperatures of ۲۰°C and ۲۵°C, respectively. As a result, K۲HPO۴ has an important role in inhibiting growth; therefore, it can be used as Fungicide.

ITS regions, K۲HPO۴, Penicillium rubens, Morphological characters