Trichoderma pseudokoningii for hastening the decomposition of various sericultural wastes and impact of enriched composts on disease suppression in mulberry (Morus spp.)

Abstract

A biofungicide “Nursery-Guard” containing Trichoderma pseudokoningii as a biocontrol agent hastened the decomposition of various sericultural wastes viz., silkworm litter + rearing waste, biogas slurry (a spent slurry from silkworm waste-based biogas plant) and weeds of mulberry gardens. The farm-yard manure (FYM - unfortified) was also enriched with Nursery-Guard for comparison. The decomposition process was very well completed within a period of 105 days. All the decomposed materials had a significantly higher percentage of NPK contents over the check sericultural wastes (non-enriched with Nursery-Guard). A high population of T. pseudokoningii was observed in the compost prepared from biogas slurry when compared to other decomposed materials. The compost enriched with Nursery-Guard had a greater impact on sprouting of mulberry stem-cuttings, survivability of saplings and plant growth. Among the different decomposed materials, the biogas slurry and FYM recorded significantly higher sprouting of cuttings and survivability of saplings. The percentage increase, over the check, in sprouting was 19.3 and 15.7 and survival was 29.4 and 23.5, respectively for both the decomposed materials. The failure of cuttings in nursery was generally observed due to the attack of soilborne diseases viz., stem canker, cutting rot and die-back. The lesser incidence of these diseases was observed in biogas slurry (34.0%), followed by FYM (37.0%), silkworm litter + rearing waste (42.0%) and weeds (46.0%).