Effect of substrate physical factor on mass multiplication of Trichoderma harzianum in management of seedling blight of jute

Four substrates (wheat bran, rice bran, pulse bran and orange peel) singly and in combination with four oil cakes (mustard cake, groundnut cake, neem cake and linseed cake) were tested under variable temperature, moisture and pH levels to determine the best-suited physical conditions for the growth and sporulation of Trichoderma harzianum. The temperature of 30°C, moisture level of 60 per cent and 5,5 of substrates pH has been found to best suited conditions, irrespective of substrates tested. Among the substrates, the wheat bran (agricultural byproducts), mustard cake (oil cakes) and wheat bran + mustard cake at 20 per cent has been shown to highly promising with highest number of population of antagonist. The formulation of T. harzianum has also found promising in increasing the germination of jute seeds and reduction in disease incidence of seedling blight disease. The wheat bran + mustard cake preparation was found superior over other combination of products.