Trichoderma viride (MTCC 800): apotential candidate for agri-horti waste utilization by solid state fermentation

Waste management is one of the major environmental concerns globally. Meaningful utilization of various types of wastes for the production of useful products not only provides added economicbenefits through variety of products but is also helpful in minimizing the environmental pollution. Trichoderma viride, a well-known fungus, has been used in the past for production of enzymes like proteases, cellulases and chitinase besides various beneficial biological activities, i.e., mycoremediation, mycoparasitism and for increasingsoil fertility. In the present investigation, biodegradation potential of T. viride (MTCC-800) was evaluated by solid state fermentation using wastes like pomace, floral waste, plant litter, vegetable refuse, sawdust and sugarcane bagasse. The fungus degraded all the waste materials including sawdust that contain toxic compounds. Among all agri-horti wastes used, maximum growth of T. viride was recorded in vegetable refuse (58.16%) followed by sugarcane bagasse (48.76%)and others. The results of the present investigation, indicatethat T. viride can be a potential candidate for meaningful utilization of industrial and other wastesand if. Successful at large scale itcan not onlyhelp in reduction of environmental pollution but can also be abetter substitute for chemical fertilizers and pesticidesbesides economic gains.