ICAR Short Course on Trichoderma organized at NRCL, Muzaffarpur

The ICAR Short Course on “Bioassay, Production Protocol and Quality Control for

Trichoderma Based Biopesticides” was successfully organized during 05-14 September,

2016. The Course Director was Dr. Vinod Kumar, Sr. Scientist Plant Pathology. The purpose

of the course was to emphasize role of Trichoderma in crop health management and to

provide hands on training on mass production and quality control of Trichoderma. Active

researchers not below the rank of Assistant Professor or equivalent from SAUs/ ICAR/ SMS

of KVKs, having minimum two years of experience in the disciplines of Agriculture / Plant

Pathology/ Microbiology/ Life Sciences were eligible to apply. A total of 31 applications

were received and admission was offered to 27. Out of which, 22 confirmed their

participation but finally only 19 from nine different states (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Sikkim) attended

and earned certificates. About 50% participants applied on CBP vortal and the others

submitted application offline (email) or by India post. Besides NRCL faculty members, 5

guest speakers also delivered lecture on various topics during the course. The Short Course

Manual was provided to all the participants and course faculties along with soft copy of the

manual in pdf format.

Participants had hands on training on the techniques viz., Isolation of Trichoderma

spp. from soil; Preparation of temporary slides of Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum,

Fusarium solani and Alternaria alternata; Observing conidiophores, philades and conidia of

Trichoderma spp., photomicrograph and micrometry; Estimation of conidial count (cells per

mL) in sample suspension; Bioassay for antagonistic potential of Trichoderma (T. viride / T.

harzianum against Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani; Screening of isolates of

Trichoderma for production of non-volatile and volatile compounds; Mass multiplication of

Trichoderma through solid and liquid state; Bioformulation of Trichoderma using sorghum

grain and talc based carriers including packaging; Studies on storability and shelf life of

Trichoderma formulation; Viable count and quality assay of Trichoderma formulation;

Method of enrichment of FYM with Trichoderma; and Sensitivity test of Trichoderma to

pesticides during the course. The feedback collected in a detailed proforma from individual

participants was analyzed. Most of them rated the course as ‘excellent’. The participants were

well satisfied and confirmed that they learnt new subject and techniques during the course.

The course was coordinated by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Scientist (SS), Horticulture

and Dr. (Ms.) Swati Sharma, Scientist, Horticulture who had done excellent job in

shouldering the responsibility. Their painstaking effort was unmatched which resulted in the

successful organization of the Short Course.

Participants interacting with the Course Director, Dr. Vinod Kumar during practical exercise

Participants interacting with the Course Director, Dr. Vinod Kumar during practical exerci

Participants doing practical exercise on slide preparation and photomicrography

Participants and faculty members of Short Course

Participants interacting with the Course Director, Dr. Vinod Kumar during practical exerci

Participants doing practical exercise on slide preparation and photomicrography

Participants and faculty members of Short Course

Participants interacting with the Course Director, Dr. Vinod Kumar during practical exercise

Participants doing practical exercise on slide preparation and photomicrography