Development of an extended shelf-life,liquid formulation of the biofungicide <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma asperellum</Emphasis>

The formulation of microbial biomass represents a critical step in advancing the commercial development of prospective biological control products. Trichoderma asperellum has demonstrated biological control capability against Fusarium head blight. In the present studies, Trichoderma asperellum was grown in liquid media of differing composition. The effect of various amendments on the preservation of the viability and competitiveness, in vitro, of fungal mycelium and spores in a liquid paste was determined. The amendments with greatest effect were the addition of starch as a food base, reduction of metabolic activity by lowering the pH of the biomass paste and the addition of small amounts of copper. Oxygen availability was also shown to be important in maintaining biomass viability and competitiveness. Optimization of these factors produces a biomass paste formulation of T. asperellum that remains active, in vitro, for at least 6 months at room temperature.     

Studies of Mycofungicid,a Preparation Based on Trichoderma viride,for Plant Infection Control

A technology was designed for manufacturing a preparation based on Trichoderma viride Pers ex S.F. Gray that strongly suppresses the development of causative agents of certain plant diseases and displays a growth-stimulating activity. Cultivation of the strain in a liquid medium for 18–24 h produced up to 60 g dry biomass per liter nutrient medium. A marketable form created in this work conserves the activity of the mycelial preparation for six months. The preparation is compatible with insecticides (carbofos, vismetrin, talstar, and applaud) and certain fungicides (such as baitan). Tests performed with the liquid form of Mycofungicid (seeds were treated with this preparation at a dose of 20–30 g per metric ton before sowing) showed its high efficiency in protecting cereal crops from plant pathogens. The incidence of plant diseases decreased by 65%, and crop yields increased by 15–20%.     

Microfungicid--a preparation based on trichoderma viride for plant diseases control

A technology was designed for manufacturing a preparation based on Trichoderma viride Pers ex S.F. Gray that strongly suppresses the development of causative agents of certain plant diseases and displays a growth-stimulating activity. Cultivation of the strain in a liquid medium for 18-24 h produced up to 60 g dry biomass per liter nutrient medium. A marketable form created in this work conserves the activity of the mycelial preparation for six months. The preparation is compatible with insecticides (carbofos, vismetrin, talstar, and applaud) and certain fungicides (such as baitan). Tests performed with the liquid form of Mycofungicid (seeds were treated with this preparation at a dose of 20-30 g per metric ton before sowing) showed its high efficiency in protecting cereal crops from plant pathogens. The incidence of plant diseases decreased by 65%, and crop yields increased by 15-20%.