Date 9/1/91

Title of Project Evaluation of Trichoderma Harzianum for Rhizosphere Competency in Plug Production of Selected Bedding Plants

Institution where work is being conducted University of Missouri-Columbia

Amount of Endowment Grant $ 5,940
Covering Period Jan 1, 1991 to Dec 31, 1991

Anticipated Date of Project Completion/Final Report December 31, 1991

Individual(s) Conducting Project:

(List Project Leader First)

John M. Brown - Title Assistant Professor

Telephone Number (314)-882-9627

Byoung Ryong Jeong - Title Postdoctoral Fellow

Gye Soon Jeong - Title Ph.D. student

Evaluation of Trichoderma Harzianum for Rhizophere Competency in Plug Production of Selected Bedding Plants

John M. Brown, Byoung Ryong Jeong, and Gye Soon Jeong

University of Missouri-Columbia

Progress Report to the American Floral Endowment, 9/1/91

A. Project Objectives:

The objectives of this research are 1) to examine whether Trichoderma harzianum

applied to plug mixes is carried to and effective in cellpacks and 4 inch pots and 2) to

investigate the feasibility of applying T. harzianum as a seed coating treatment for

biological control of plant diseases in plug production.

B. Summary of Work Conducted:

Work on this project was begun Feb. 1, 1991. Two experiments were completed and

the third experiment is currently being conducted. The third experiment is expected to

be completed by the end of November. In the first two experiments we concentrated

on whether Trichoderma was carried and dispersed via irrigation water or by its

growth on the organic materials in the potting mixes. In the last experiment we will

focus on whether Trichoderma is also move along the growth of roots. Through these

three experiments we will be able to conclude whether Trichoderma has rhizosphere

competency.

C. Results to Date:

Experiment 1. To examine Trichoderma dispersal via irrigation water, an experiment

was conducted, using 25 cm long PVC pipes with sampling holes every 5 cm and

containing Sunshine Mix #5. Population density was examined. The results showed

that Trichoderma dispersed up to 25 cm deep potting mix in 4 days via irrigation water.

Experiment 2. To examine Trichoderma development on organic matter, an

experiment was conducted, using 25 cm long PVC pipes positioned vertically and

horizontally. The pipes contained Sunshine Mix #5 and had sampling holes every 5

cm (holes 1 through 5 from the top or away from the inoculation site). The

Trichoderma density was quantified. The result suggested that Trichoderma also

disperses by its development on organic matter in the potting mix in addition to

dispersal via irrigation water shown in Experiment 1. This fungus moves faster, but

proliferates less in vertical than in horizontal treatment.

D. Future Plans Covered by the Endowment Grant:

To investigate rhizosphere competence of T. harzianum in plugs and then in

subsequent containers after transplanting, tomato seeds, coated and non-coated with

Trichoderma, will be sown in plug trays without Trichoderma. Rhizosphere soil and

non-rhizosphere soil from plug, and later from cellpacks and split PVC pipes will be

sampled at time intervals to determine inoculum density. Dispersion of fungal

hyphae on the surface of first-order roots will be determined by direct microscopic

observation. Since microscopic observation is often inadequate for distinguishing

different fungi species, fungi species will be identified after root segments are plated on

a cultural medium.

E. Anticipated Benefits for Floral Industry:

In the greenhouse experiment we found that sufficient Trichoderma population was

carried over from plug into the cellpack growing medium in the transplanting process.

We expect greatly reduced use of pesticide and increased production as a seed coating

or as an incorporation of Trichoderma only into a plug mix.

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