Constraints faced by respondents in adoption of SAWAJ trichoderma

Abstract

Trichoderma is a very effective biological mean for plant disease management especially the soil born. It is a free-living fungus which is common in soil and root ecosystems. It is highly interactive in root, soil and foliar environments. It reduces growth, survival or infections caused by pathogens by different mechanisms like competition, antibiosis, mycoparasitism, hyphal interactions, and enzyme secretion. For the management of soil borne diseases especially stem and pod rot of groundnut, Trichoderma harzianum is very effective. Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) has started the commercial production and selling of bio-agent Trichoderma harzianum culture under the brand name of SAWAJ Trichoderma. There are several constraints enumerated by the farmers in adoption of SAWAJ Trichoderma in Amreli districts. Lack of soil moisture when application of SAWAJ Trichoderma needed in standing crop, labour cost increased because it cannot mix with other chemical fertilizers, problem in application through drip irrigation, application of SAWAJ Trichoderma is difficult at the time of sowing and castor cake as career agent used with SAWAJ Trichoderma is costly major constraints faced by respondents while adopting the SAWAJ Trichoderma.