PROF. OKOTH SHEILA

Citation:

Okoth S. "Distribution and Diversity of Indigenous Trichoderma species in Machakos County, Kenya." British Microbiology Research Journal. 2015;9(4):1-15.

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.

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