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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Distribution and Diversity of Indigenous Trichoderma species in Machakos County, Kenya

P. K. Maina, P. M. Wachira, S. A. Okoth, J. W. Kimenju

Microbiology Research Journal International · pp. 1–15 · Published 29 Jun 2015

10.9734/BMRJ/2015/18034

Abstract

Aim: This study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of land-use intensification on occurrence, distribution, and diversity of Trichoderma fungus. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Distribution of Study: Mycology Laboratory, University of Nairobi between March and September, 2014. Methodology: Soil samples were collected from both Mwala and Kauti irrigation blocks in Kabaa irrigation scheme of Machakos County, in Kenya under three land use types (LUTs): intensively cultivated farmlands under irrigation, rainfed intensively cultivated farmlands and undisturbed lands. A total of 100 soil samples were obtained from the top 0- 20 cm depth. Trichoderma species were isolated using the dilution plate technique using Trichoderma-selective media (TSM). Results: A total of 369 Trichoderma isolates were recovered from the three LUTs. These were identified and classified into eleven species. The species identified were: T. harzianum, T. koningii, T. viride, T. asperellum, T. atroviride, T. spirale, T. virens, T. tomentosum, T. brevicompactum, T. crassum and T. hamatum. The most abundant Trichoderma species was T. harzianum with a frequency of isolation of 38.87%, followed by T. koningii and T. viride at 18.03 and 15.49%, respectively. Trichoderma hamatum had the least isolation frequency at 0.41%.  T. harzianum also had the widest distribution. The difference in abundance of Trichoderma in the three LUTs was significant (P=0.05). The undisturbed lands had a higher abundance of Trichoderma compared to the disturbed areas. Mwala irrigation block A had the least abundance while block D which is more recent in cultivation had highest mean abundance of Trichoderma. Difference in Trichoderma species mean richness between LUTs was not significant (P=0.203). Undisturbed lands had the highest richness. Undisturbed lands also had the highest diversity while irrigated lands were the least diverse Conclusion: Enhanced land-use intensification lowers the abundance and diversity of Trichoderma in the soil.

Trichoderma biodiversity biocontrol fungi pathogen land-use

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