Evaluation of various substrates for mass production and shelf life of Trichoderma asperellum

Abstract

Trichoderma species, which belong to the genus Trichoderma and the order Hypocreales within the Ascomycota phylum, are highly promising bio-control agents. They are commonly present in natural soil, decaying organic plant matter, and wood, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in combating various plant diseases, including those caused by parasitic nematodes. Being imperfect fungi, the formulation and shelf-life of Trichoderma species play vital roles in ensuring their successful utilization in commercial applications. The present study aimed to assess different substrates for mass production and shelf-life of two Trichoderma asperellum isolates, FbMi4 and FbMi6. The initial spore count of T. asperellum FbMi4 at three concentrations (30, 40, and 50 ml/100 g carrier) on the first day were 226×106, 255×106, and 291×106 spores/ml, respectively. Over a storage period of 60 days, the spore populations gradually decreased to 149×106, 169×106, and 192×106 spores/ml, with reductions in viability of 14.9%, 14.2%, and 14.6% for the respective concentrations. The study also found similar trends in T. asperellum FbMi6 and sorghum grains talc-based formulations. Neem cake, an organic amendment, outperformed potato dextrose broth in producing spores, even after 45 days of storage. Remarkably, the formulated solutions maintained a substantial number of viable spores for up to 60 days, indicating their potential for extended shelf-life and storage. These findings emphasize the significance of selecting appropriate substrates to achieve mass production and long-term viability of Trichoderma as an effective bio-control agent against various plant diseases, including those caused by parasitic nematodes.