Population Dynamics ofTrichoderma viridein Steamed Plant Growth Medium

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Abstract
Some factors affecting the saprophytic proliferation of T-1-R9, a benomyl-tolerant isolate of T. viride that controls Fusarium wilt of chrysanthemum, were investigated in a freshly steamed plant growth medium. A reduction in the proliferation of T-1-R9 was observed when the medium was diluted by 75% with silicate sand. The addition of T-1-R9 increased the total population density of T. viride in the medium, which suggests that intraspecific competition was not an important limiting factor in colonization of the medium by T. viride. The addition of T-1-R9 to freshly steamed growth medium resulted in increased CO2 evolution during the first 12 days which indicated an increased level of nutrient utilization. This was further correlated with a reduction in the final population density of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi and in disease incidence.