Vol. 11, Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
Prashant Singh, Ramji Singh, Madhu GS and Vinit Pratap Singh

Abstract:
Trichoderma species naturally occurring antagonistic microorganisms has performed great potential to antagonize plant pathogens. Hence, biocontrol involving the use of such beneficial microorganisms for plant protection is being considered as a viable substitute to reduce the use of chemical pesticides. These microorganisms need to be multiplied and kept viable often for long period under storage. This study aim to study multiplication and longitivity of Trichoderma isolates on de-oiled neem cake at different moisture regimes. Fifteen isolates of Trichoderma were isolated in different region of Utter Pradesh state of India and one isolate IRRI 1 was collected from Internation Rice Research Institute. Neem cake was able to support the highest population dynamics of T. harzianum strains at 70 per cent moisture level up to 21 days. Increasing the moisture beyond 70 per cent resulted in declining the population dynamics of T. harzianum. These findings suggested that 70 per cent additional moisture in the de-oiled cake of Neem is most appropriate for increasing the population dynamics of T. harzianum strains. T. harzianum strains i.e. IRRI-1, TH-28, TH-26, TH-21, TH-30, TH-3, TH-29 and TH-7 were found to be best performer with regard to their rate of multiplication. Even without additional moisture, the two strains i.e. IRRI-1 and TH-28, could sustain their viability at the cake.