Growth and Yield Responses of Tomato (Lycorpersicon Esculentum Mill) to Trichoderma Inoculants in Soilless Medium
Growth and yield responses of tomato to Trichoderma inoculants in Soilless medium (mixture of coconut dust and peat) (Cdp) under Protected Environment Agriculture (PEA) system was attempted. Two Trichoderma species; T harzianum (UPM 29) and T. Virens (UPM 23) singly and as mixtures were used in t...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2002
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10577/1/FP_2002_4.pdf |
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| Summary: | Growth and yield responses of tomato to Trichoderma inoculants in Soilless
medium (mixture of coconut dust and peat) (Cdp) under Protected Environment
Agriculture (PEA) system was attempted. Two Trichoderma species; T harzianum (UPM
29) and T. Virens (UPM 23) singly and as mixtures were used in the study. The physical,
chemical and microbiological properties of Cdp was suitable for growth of tomato and
proliferation and survival of Trichoderma. Cdp has good pore size with bulk density
within the range of mineral soil (1.0 -1.8 g/l). Cdp has high water availability of
22.23%. However they has low microbial populations comprising of mainly the genera
Aspergillus and Penicillium.
The effect of soilless media on proliferation and survival of Trichoderma was
carried out by either adding the inoculant as an additive to the soi11ess medium or as bioseed
treatment. T. harzianum population in Cdp was reduced by 32% after 15 days of
application. However, population for T Virens when applied singly or as mixtures of T. harzianum + T virens dropped at day 6 but remained stable thereafter until the end of the
experiment. Trichoderma population was higher on the roots throughout the 21 days of
experimental period, suggesting that Trichoderma can colonize the germinating roots and
live on the root exudates. Application of Trichoderma as additives to the soilless medium
was a better delivery method as it gave better distribution and easy contact with the
growing roots. Therefore, application as additives to germination mixes was selected to
evaluate the effect of air-dried preparation of Trichoderma inoculants on growth and yield
responses of tomato. |
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