TRICHODERMA – Effective Natural Bio-fungicide

Introduction:

Trichoderma is one of the well known bio fungicide for its effectiveness in combating all kinds of soil borne diseases like wilt, vascular wilt, root rot, rhizome rot, vine wilt of all crops. The chemical fungicides are harmful to the environment and are very expensive thus, increasing the cost of production. Use of Trichoderma is an effective and efficient eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicide. These fungi are naturally found in abundance in soil, but in today’s agriculture practices these have vanished. The use of these fungi in agriculture dates back to 1930 and is in use in almost all parts of the world.

These fungi grow rapidly and live longer than any other harmful fungi. They quickly colonise the root section and the soil surface around depriving the harmful fungi from food and space, preventing them to grow and multiply. They considerably help in improving the soil structure by growing and colonising on the harmful fungi and utilizing them as its own food.

Trichoderma is green in colour and its seed contains more than 1 crore spores in 1 gram. These spores are extracted from soil and are developed in the laboratory for 5 – 8 days and then processed by mixing it with lignite powder and talk powder. They are then stored in polythene bags and stored in cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.

Trichoderma Harzianum– Developed in laboratory

Processed Trichoderma with lignite powder and talk powder to increase the self life to six months

Application of Trichoderma:

• Trichoderma for Soil Treatment:

Trichoderma should be applied along with some organic matter like cow dung, sheep / goat droppings, neem powder or compost. For compost enrichment, add 10 kgs of trichoderma with 1 ton properly dried compost. Allow the spores to multiply for 15 days by maintaining moisture up to 20%. Then the mixture can be applied to plants to prevent destructive plant diseases.

• Trichoderma for Seed Treatment :

Trichoderma can be used for seed treatment by wetting 1 kg of the seeds and adding trichoderma of about 5-10 grams. This is mixed thoroughly on plastic sheet or box and the seeds are dried for 2 hours in shade and are used for planting. This improves the resistance of plants against diseases.

• Trichoderma for Foliar Application:

Trichoderma can be used for spraying by mixing 10 grams of trichoderma with 1 litre water and subsequently sprayed to plants.

Use of trichoderma from the planting stage results in healthy pants and develops resistance capacity against diseases.

Precautions:

• The shelf life of trichoderma is only 6 months and hence users should carefully observe the manufactured date before purchasing. It will not be effective if used after 6 months.
• Due care must be taken care while transporting this bio-fungicide since the spores die if exposed to direct sun light and heat
• Avoid using chemical fertilizers, pesticides or weedicides for 20 days before and after application of trichoderma.