Ageratina adenophora, an invasive alien plant of neo-tropical origin, is known to have adverse impacts on native species, soil nutrients and soil microbial activities. Impact of A. adenophora on ecologically important soil fungi is crucial to know how it modifies soil microbial community during invasion. We studied mycelial growth of selected ecologically important soil fungi (Alternaria alternata, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillusniger, Chaetomium funicola and Fusarium oxysporum) by using extracts obtained from A. adenophora leaves, litter and root. All types of extracts showed inhibitory effect on fungal growth. The degree of inhibition varied with fungal species, extract type and concentration. It is proposed that the inhibitory activities of A. adenophora to the soil fungi could bring changes in soil fungal diversity and their composition. It could be a reason that affects soil characteristics, native plant species and ecosystem functioning by A. adenophora.
