Farmer-friendly technology for mass production of Trichoderma harzianum (CPTD28)

Abstract

Corresponding Author: prathibhacpcri@gmail.com The complexity and intensity of crop diseases have increased with the advent of intensive agriculture. To control these diseases, using an indiscriminate amount of pesticides leads to unforeseen problems like environmental pollution and health hazards worldwide. Now the scenario has changed since technologies are available for quality crop production with increasing awareness of alternative plant protection options such as the use of biocontrol agents. Management of plant diseases using biocontrol agents is increasingly becoming popular, as it has an advantage over chemical pesticides that it doesn’t cause any harmful effects to the environment. Trichoderma spp. is one of the most extensively used bioagents, well known for their ability to induce mycoparasitism, producing several secondary metabolites inducing resistance, both local and systemic, in plants against invading pathogens and improving nutrient use efficiency (Elad et al., 1980; Harman et al., 2004; Nidhina et al., 2016). The success of biological control mainly relies on bio-efficacy, shelf life, easy availability of costeffective substrates and simple preparation procedure and delivery system. An appropriate medium for mass production is essential for the large-scale application of bio-control agents in the field. Different formulations of Trichoderma were developed (lignite, lignite and fly ash-based powder formulation, and talc powder) for seed treatment with viability up to nine months at storage at 24 °C (Jayaraj et al., 2006). Substrates such as coir pith, vermiculite and neem cake were suggested for mass production of Trichoderma (Mustaf et al., 2009; Prathibha et al., 2015). Conventionally used costly raw materials, sophisticated laboratory facilities for commercial production of biocontrol agents, and the short shelf life of the products are the major limitations behind the restricted use. Developing a feasible and effective biocontrol agent using locally available agricultural waste is an important component of biocontrol programme and effective utilization of agricultural waste. The arecanut leaf sheath is an easily and freely available agricultural waste in arecanut gardens and is also available as a byproduct from plate and bowl production units. The arecanut leaf sheaths can be exploited as a medium for multiplication and transferring the rapidly multiplied biocontrol agents to the soil system. Hence, attempts were made to develop an easy, costeffective and farmer-friendly technology for mass production of a potential native isolate of Trichoderma harzianum (CPTD 28) using an areca leaf sheath with a higher population and extended shelf life.