Behavior of Trichoderma viride on Coco - Pith Based Planting Media

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are economically important fungus as a bio agent for controlling disease causing organisms in plants. The fungus is widely found in soil in all climatic zones and incorporation of inocula in to planting media ensures disease free plants. The experiment was carried out to determine the most suitable concentration of Trichoderma viride (X viride) capable of developing an effective mass of Trichoderma on different types of planting media. Three concentrations of T. viride (1.1*107, 7.3*106, 2.6*106 spores/ml) spore suspensions were tested in the field with three planting media including compost (sterilized), coir fiber and compost with coco chips. Spore populations in the treated samples were counted using serial dilution and culture technique at one week intervals for six weeks. The findings did not show a significant relationship between Trichoderma viride spore concentration and its development and survival on different media. One to six weeks after inoculation, each concentration showed 109spores/ml on all the media. During the six weeks, 7.3*106 spores/ml concentrations treated coir fiber medium recorded highest mean number of spores w hilel.l*107spores/ml and 7.3*106 spores/ml concentration shown peak spore population, four weeks after inoculation. But, three weeks after inoculation, peak spore population was illustrated by 2.6*106 spores/ml concentration. However, coir media facilitated colonization providing higher shelf life. Therefore, optimum environmental conditions in coir media at 2.6*106 spore/ml spore concentration level was economical for planting media.