Effects of Temperature, Soil Moisture, and Wheat Bran on Growth ofTrichoderma harzianumfrom Alginate Pellets

Radial growth rates and hyphal densities were quantified for hyphae originating from alginate pellets containing hyphae of the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum. Pellets containing 1.8 mg of hyphal biomass (mean dry weight) and either 0 or 2.5 mg of wheat bran were buried beneath sheets of nylon mesh in a steamed silt loam soil, then incubated at 15, 20, or 25 °C and −0.03, −0.1, or −0.5 MPa soil matric potential. Extent of hyphal growth was visually mapped after 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days, and mean radii were calculated from digitized maps (...)