Evaluation of different carbon and nitrogen sources for better growth and sporulation of T. harzianum (Th14)

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of carbon and nitrogen sources on mycelial growth and sporulation of Trichoderma harzianum (Th14). Among the tested different carbon sources viz., jaggery, honey, sugar, dextrose and peptone, significantly maximum biomass and sporulation was observed in honey (1190 mg; 7.06×108) followed by dextrose (1037 mg; 5.27×108) and jaggery (992 mg; 5.50×108) whereas among  tested nitrogen sources viz., ammonium sulphate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, urea, ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate, significant maximum biomass was observed in ammonium sulphate (1035 mg) followed by sodium nitrate (965 mg), and ammonium nitrate (955 mg). However, in sporulation these nitrogen sources were at par with each other. The present result would be helpful in enhancing the conidia and biomass production of local strain and great importance when considering the production of T. harzianum for use as a biocontrol agent.   Key words: Carbon sources, nitrogen sources, biomass, sporulation, Trichoderma harzianum.