Isolation of Trichoderma Harzianum from Soil and its Effect on Germination Potential of Selected Cereal Crops

Abstract

The fungus Trichoderma is known due to its versatility for promoting crop growth, improving the nutrient absorption and increasing the grains yield. The work was aimed to isolate the fungus Trichoderma and study its effect on the germination of selected cereal crops. The fungus was isolated from soil samples around Sokoto State University, Sokoto (SSU) using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media and microscopically identified as Trichoderma harzianum. The effect of Trichoderma harzianum on germination was observed against Sorghum, Maize, Wheat, Barley and Millet respectively. The seeds were subjected to germination with 98% relative humidity and 12 hours’ light exposure. The percentage germination (PG) using 1% fungal concentration was found to be 58.00% ± 3.00, Sorghum 37.33% ± 1.33, Wheat 36.00% ± 4.00, Barley 28.33% ± 5.87 and Maize 17.33% ± 2.40 while PG for 2% fungal concentration were 58.93% + 2.96 for Millet, Sorghum was 38.93% + 2.96, while Wheat 37.00% + 5.13 and Barley was 25.00% + 1.73. The seeds treated with T. harzianum were considered effective since it provided grains germination percentage superior compared to the control.