Exploration of Native Trichoderma spp. from different Eco-Systems of the Canara Circle, Karnataka, India

Canara Circle of Karnataka, which fall under agro-climatic zones 9 and 10 has a very unique type of eco-system comprising mainly forest followed by horticulture and agricultural eco-systems. Soil borne diseases was seriously impacting quality and quantity of crop production yielding low profitability. No doubt, pesticides were effective, but have soil and environment impairments. Application of effective native Trichoderma sp. is the best in all angles. As this region being the organic district with diverse ecosystems, it is a treasure for exploring efficient Trichoderma spp. In this context, a roving survey was carried out during 2019 in seven (7) different taluks of Canara circle (Haliyal, Mundgod, Siddapur, Sirsi, Yellapura, Ankola and Kumta). Two rhizosphere soil samples of 250 g each were collected from agriculture, horticulture and forest eco-systems of each taluk totalling forty two (42). Among the rhizosphere soils tested by serial dilution technique on Trichoderma selective medium (TSM), highest number of Trichoderma isolates was from forest ecosystem (11) with maximum recovery (78.57%). Horticulture ecosystem followed next (9 isolates) with 64.28 per cent recovery and the agriculture ecosystem recorded the lowest Trichoderma isolates (7) with 50 per cent recovery.