Population Diversity of Trichoderma Spp. In Relation to Soil Types.

Tirchoderma is a golden fungus  available in soil used for biological control of plant pathogens. Studying diversity of Trichoderma spp. under different soil/climatic conditions and also the exact identification of strains to the species level is the first step in identifying the full potential of isolate in specific applications. Raichur is situated in north eastern dry zone of Karnataka state in India and   known for soil and crop diversity. This work relates to the identification and characterisation of native isolates of Trichoderma spp. and understanding the spatial variability of their population with soil types of the region.  During the study, 44 isolates of Trichoderma species were isolated and identification was done.  Among  44 isolates, 11 as T. viride , 9  as T.virense,  4 as T. Harzianum, and T. Piluliferum, and 2  as T.hamatum  were identified.  Frequency of isolation was maximum in deep black soils followed by medium deep black soil and minimum was  in red gravely clay soils. During the studies,  It was found that, population of Trichoderma spp. was positively correlated with soil moisture, organic matter, P2O5 and K2O content of soil but negatively correlated with pH and EC.