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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In recent years, sustainable agriculture has gained significant attention due to the negative impact of conventional farming practices on the environment and human health (Pretty et al., 2018). Sustainable agriculture aims to promote the production of healthy food while minimizing the impact of agricultural practices on the environment, reducing the use of non-renewable resources, and improving the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities (FAO, 2019). One approach to achieving sustainable agriculture is through the use of biocontrol agents, which are living organisms that can control pests and diseases in crops without harming the environment or human health (Singh et al., 2017).

Trichoderma harzianum is a widely studied biocontrol agent that has shown promising results in controlling soil-borne plant pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Bae et al., 2017). The use of T. harzianum has been shown to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, leading to improved soil health and reduced environmental pollution (Abdelzaher et al., 2019). However, the successful application of T. harzianum in agriculture depends on the availability of suitable carriers that can support its growth and survival.

Currently, peat moss is the most commonly used carrier for T. harzianum due to its ability to retain moisture and provide a favorable environment for microbial growth (Harman et al., 2004). However, the use of peat moss is not sustainable as it is a non-renewable resource that takes thousands of years to form and is being rapidly depleted (Sims et al., 2002). Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative carriers that are renewable, abundant, and cost-effective.

Agro-allied wastes are potential alternatives to conventional carriers for T. harzianum due to their abundance and availability (Ugochukwu et al., 2017). Rice bran, corn cobs, sawdust, and coconut coir are examples of agro-allied wastes that have been studied for their potential use as carriers for T. harzianum (Anjum et al., 2017; Khan et al., 2018; Kulkarni et al., 2019; Shabina et al., 2018). These wastes have been shown to provide a suitable environment for the growth and survival of T. harzianum, and their use as carriers has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of selected agro-allied wastes as carriers for T. harzianum and their efficacy in controlling F. oxysporum, a soil-borne pathogen causing wilt disease in tomato plants. The selected agro-allied wastes were rice bran, corn cobs, sawdust, and coconut coir. The suitability of each carrier was