Media standardization for the mass multiplication of a bio-control agent trichoderma asperellum

Trichoderma asperellum is a fungus belongs to the order Hypocreales and used as bio-control agent in the management of various microbial diseases affecting agriculture crops. The colonies of Trichoderma asperellum is commonly isolated from soil which forms its natural environment. T. asperelllum has versatile nutrient requirements and different carbon sources could be used for its growth. In the present study two tuber crop varieties belong to Dioscorea alata, a medicinal herb (Stevia rebaudiana) and cashew apple have been tested for their efficacy to support the growth of this fungus. It was found that the medium prepared out of Dioscorea alata (Yam Dextrose Agar- YDA-1) supports the growth of T. asperullum by 2.75±0.5x109 cfu/ml, YDA-2 which was prepared from another variety of yam provides the growth of T. asperellum by 4±1.63X109cfu/ml, Stevia medium gave 3.75±0.95x109 cfu/ml growth of T. asperellum and cashew apple supported the growth of T.asperellum by 3±0.18X109 cfu/ml. Commonly using culture medium for the production of Trichoderma is Potato Dextrose medium which provides 2±0.81x109cfu/ml. From these studies it is obvious that Stevia medium, Yam Dextrose medium and Cashew apple medium can be used as the food source for the growth of T. asperellum. Through this endeavor three new cost effective media were developed which can be used as nutrient provider for the mass multiplication of T. asperellum which leads to significant reduction in the cost of bio control product.