An experiment was conducted to study the effect of oil cakes of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L), groundnut (Arachis hypogeae L), mustard (Brassica compestris L.) and chicken manures, cow dung, pigeon droppings on the rhizospheric soil fungi and plant growth of tomato and brinjal. There was found an increase in the frequency of saprophytic fungi and decrease in the pathogenic fungi as a result of soil amendment with oil cakes and manures. Highest frequency of saprophytic fungi was found in pots treated with linseed cake, followed by groundnut cake, mustard cake, chicken manure, pigeon droppings and cow-dung, respectively. However, highest reduction in frequency of pathogenic fungi was found in pots treated with mustard cake, followed by pots treated with groundnut cake, linseed cake, cow-dung, pigeon droppings and chicken manure. As a result of soil amendment with oil cakes and manures which caused reduction in the frequency of pathogenic fungi and increase in saprophytic fungi, there was found an improvement in the plant growth of tomato and brinjal. Highest plant growth was found in plants treated with oil cakes of linseed followed by groundnut, mustard cake, chicken manure, pigeon droppings and cow-dung. The inhibitory effect of soil amendment on pathogenic fungi with oil cakes and manures might be due to the substances or chemicals released during decomposition of organic matter.

Key words: Brinjal, manures, oil-cakes, rhizospheric soil  fungi, soil amendment, tomato.