MICROORGANISM ASSOCIATED WITH Trichoderma TREATED AND UNTREATED CASHEW (Anacardium occidentale L.) SEEDS

ABSRACT

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the ability of Trichoderma specie to reduce the microbial load on cashew seeds. The specific objective of the study were to isolates and identify microorganisms associated with cashew seeds, determine the percentage infection of microorganisms on treated and untreated cashew seeds, determine the microbial diversity on treated and untreated cashew seeds. This study was carried out at the Department of Crop science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, and Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Science. University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state Nigeria.The laboratory experiment was carried out from 19th April 2023 – 3 rd July 2023. The experiment showed that fungal and bacterial species were found to be associated with cashew seeds obtained from open market at uzebba owan east Edo State. The inoculation technique (Agar plate method) was employed during the course of the study, cashew seeds ( seed coat and endosperm) were chopped into tiny bits, surface sterilized and placed on filter paper to drain off moisture, and some of the seeds were treated with Trichoderma and cultured with Potato Dextrose Agar and Nutrient Agar ( PDA and NA). Microbial identification was done using morphological and biochemical tests for bacteria, while microscopic features examination was carried out for fungi.