Mass production and determination of shelf-life of two Trichoderma sp. in compost formulation

Abstract

Trichoderma isolates have emerged as biological control agents which have been found effective against Rigidoporus microporus which is the cause of white root disease in rubber trees. Compost has been used to formulate biocontrol agent multiplied by liquid fermentation. A formulated product for agricultural applications should have abundant viable propagules with good shelf life. An attempt was taken to test the shelf life of compost-based formulation of Trichoderma isolates prepared by liquid fermentation. Soil samples were collected from rubber growing soils to isolate the most abundant and visually-different soil fungi.