In vitro screening for enzymatic activity of Trichoderma species for biocontrol potential

Abstract

A total of seven Trichoderma species were isolated from rhizosphere soils of brinjal on potato dextrose agar medium. Based on morphological and cultural characters, the isolates were assigned to different species viz., Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, T. virens, T. atroviride, T. koningii, T. pseudokoningii and T. reesei. Trichoderma species were screened for the production of extracellular enzymes to identify the strain with high antagonistic potential against fungal pathogens. The screening was done following plate assay method on the respective solid media. These strains were positive for cellulase, amylase, pectinase, protease and chitinase activity. The excretion of extracellular lytic enzymes reveals their usefulness in the application of Trichoderma species as biocontrol strains in agricultural soils. The use of simple solid media permits the rapid screening of large populations of fungi for the presence or absence of specific enzymes