PRODUCTION AND OPTIMIZATION OF CHITINASE BY TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM FOR CONTROL OF THE PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGUS M.PHASEOLINA

Trichoderma harzianum was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy groundnut plants and screened (2009) for chitinase activity. In vitro production of chitinase by T.harzianum, a mycoparasite of phytopathogenic fungi, was examined under various culture conditions described by Molano et al 1977. Enzyme production was significantly influenced by the chitin concentration and nitrogen source incorporated into the medium. Maximum chitinase activity was observed at 1% chitin and peptone as nitrogen source. chitinase activity of T.harzianum was maximum after fifth days of growth. Production of chitinase enzyme was enhanced by polysaccharides contained in the mycelium of M. Phaseolina.