Enhanced rhizosphere competence of Trichoderma viride grown in solid state fermentation on corn cob residue

Abstract

A process has been disclosed in the present investigation for the production of a formulation of mycopesticide with enhanced shelf life of Trichoderma viride. A comparative evaluation of talc-based and corn cob formulations in the form of seed coat and soil treatment brought to light that the soil treatment significantly enhanced the plant growth performance of pea, green gram and pigeon pea. Among the two formulations, the corn cob formulation proved to be better as the rhizosphere competence of corn cob formulation was superior to that of talc formulation. Our results suggest that corn cob residue is a better substrate owing to high cellulase and spore production. Solid-state fermentation in batch cultures. The biocontrol ability of both formulations was tested against Fusarium in Cajanus species and it was found that the disease incidence was reduced by 86% when the corn cob formulation was given as soil application.