Assessment of Mycelia Extract from Trichoderma harzianum for its Antifungal, Insecticidal and Phytotoxic Importance

Abstract

Trichodermaharzianum was cultured on potato dextrose broth media at 20°C in an incubator and mycelial cells were extracted with ethyl acetate to obtain the organic extract for in-vitro bio-activities including antifungal, insecticidal and phytotoxicity. Different strains of fungal pathogens including Aspergillusflavus, Rhizopusstolonifer and Pythiumultimum were used to assess the antifungal potential of T. harzianum extract. The inhibitory effect was found 82% for A. flavus , 77% for P. ultimum and 73% for R. stolonifer when compared with positive and negative control experiments. Aphids (Macrosiphumrosae ) as a test insects were used to perform the insecticidal activity that showed potent activity with LC50 (38.88 µgml-1). The herbicidal potential was evaluated against duck weed (Lemna minor ) which showed that by using very high concentration (1000 µgml-1) only 60% lethality was achieved. This pilot study revealed that the organic extract obtained from T. harzianum contains useful compounds having potential to be utilized in the development of fungicides and pesticides for the improvement of agricultural sector of the country.