Investigating the potential of Prosopis juliflora pods as a carbohydrate source for optimizing the growth of Trichoderma harzianum

Mycelial biomass yield of Trichoderma harzianum was studied on eight different culture media including Prosopis juliflora pods (PJP) + sabudana + potato extract, PJP + sabudana + maize starch (MS) extract, potato dextrose broth (PDB), PDB + sabudana + MS extract, PJP + sabudana extract, sabudana extract, PJP extract and MS extract. These media had a significant effect on fresh and dry weight of mycelial mat of T. harzianum. PJP extract was the superior medium out of all tested media due to presence of high carbohydrate content and triacontanol, a growth hormone. The present investigation would be helpful in enhancing the conidial growth of T. harzianum during mass multiplication of biocontrol agent thus minimizing the cost of production as PJP pods are abundantly available freely in environment.