Usefulness of different culture media for in-vitro evaluation of Trichoderma spp. against seed-borne fungi of economic importance

Abstract

Mycelial growth, conidal production and biomass yield of three different Trichoderma species (T. harzianum, T. viride, T. longibrachiatum) were examined on five different culture media includings Potato Dextrose Agar, Waksman agar, Agar-agar, Czepak’s agar and Corn Meal agar. The medium had a significant effect on growth rate and population of the three Trichoderma species. Potato Dextrose Agar was the best medium in terms of growth spore production and biomass yield. Trichoderma harzianum outclassed the three in terms of mycelial growth biomass yield and spore production. In-vitro, species of Trichoderma strongly antagonised six different seed borne pathogenic fungi viz. Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, Botryodiplodia theobromae and Alternaria alternata in dual culture assay. Trichoderma harzianum gave maximum inhibition of mycelia growth of all pathogenic fungi.