DEVELOPMENT AND PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF A CARRIER-BASED TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM BIOFERTILIZER FORMULATION USING AGRO-INDUSTRIAL RESIDUES THROUGH SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION
Abstract
Biofertilizers based on beneficial fungi offer a sustainable complement to synthetic agrochemicals, yet their use in Pakistan remains limited, partly because locally produced formulations are scarce. This technical note describes the development and preliminary characterization of a carrier-based Trichoderma harzianum formulation produced by tray solid-state fermentation (SSF) on a three-component agro-industrial residue substrate at the PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Lahore. A substrate of sawdust, wheat bran and rice husk (500:250:250 g; 2:1:1, w/w) was moistened with distilled water to the hand-squeeze end-point (estimated 55–65% moisture), maintained at pH 5.0–6.0 as measured with a digital pH meter, autoclaved at 121 °C (≈15 psi) for 30 min and inoculated aseptically with a T. harzianum culture maintained at PCSIR. Fermentation was carried out in foil-covered trays in a growth chamber at 25–28 °C until dense green sporulation was observed. The fungus colonised the substrate with white mycelium that progressed to yellow-green and green conidiation, giving a granular, olive-brown product with an earthy odour. The final formulation had a measured viable count of 1 × 10⁸ CFU g⁻¹, determined by serial-dilution plate counting. As a qualitative observation, the formulation retained viability for approximately three months when stored in sealed containers at room temperature; viable counts at monthly intervals were not determined. Process parameters that were not recorded during the experiment are reported as clearly identified estimates. The results demonstrate the feasibility of producing a viable T. harzianum formulation from locally available residues, while microbial purity, extended shelf life under improved storage conditions and agronomic efficacy remain to be evaluated.
Keywords
- Trichoderma harzianum; biofertilizer; solid-state fermentation; agro-industrial residues; sawdust; wheat bran; rice husk; viable count; shelf life; Pakistan
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