Screening of locally available organic materials as substrates for production of Pochonia chlamydosporia in Kenya

Pochonia chlamydosporia is a nematophagous fungus with high potential for the biological control of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). The fungus is commonly produced in colonised rice substrate, but non-staple and more affordable substrates may encourage the production and use of this biological control agent. An in vitro study was conducted to screen different organic materials, including green and animal manures and industrial by-products as substrates for local production of viable fungal chlamydospores. Chlamydospore yield from sugarcane filter mud, bean straw, sunn hemp, goat manure, African marigold, wild sunflower, maize cobs, and velvet beans substrates was equal to or significantly greater than production using rice (standard substrate). In addition, the percentage viability of chlamydospores produced in most organic substrates was greater than 50%. The use of non-staple substrates deserves further investigation as a viable, and economical local option to rice substrate for mass production of P. chlamydosporia inoculum in Sub-Saharan Africa.