The native population of Trichoderma species collected from different habitats was quantified and characterised. The identified strains are T. harzianum (IMI-392432, 392433, 392434); T. pseudokoningii (IMI-392431) and T. virens (IMI-392430). | Turk J Biol 35 (2011) 183-194 © TÜBİTAK doi: Isolation and identification of Trichoderma species from different habitats and their use for bioconversion of solid waste Ahsanur RAHMAN1, Most. Ferdousi BEGUM1, Matiur RAHMAN1, M. A. BARI1, G. N. M. ILIAS2, M. Firoz ALAM1 1 Department of Botany, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, BANGLADESH 2Timber Products and Environment Monitoring Cell, Rural Electrification Board (REB), Shiromoni, Khulna 9204, BANGLADESH Received: Abstract: The native population of Trichoderma species collected from different habitats was quantified and characterised. The identified strains are T. harzianum (IMI-392432, 392433, 392434); T. pseudokoningii (IMI-392431) and T. virens (IMI-392430). Out of five strains, T. harzianum was the most common in all of the habitats. Colony forming units (cfu’s) of Trichoderma species varied significantly (P = ) in different habitats and were positively correlated with the physicochemical characteristics of the habitat. Trichoderma was found to have adapted to an acidic habitat. In testing for an efficient bioconversion agent, T. harzianum (IMI-392432) was found to be the most effective in kitchen waste decomposition. It provided the highest volume () and weight () losses in waste treated with spore suspension. Promising results were also noted using a combined treatment with different strains/species of Trichoderma, which resulted in 18% greater decomposition of waste than the control. Key words: Isolation, distribution, Trichoderma, kitchen waste, bioconversion Farklı habitatlardan Trichoderma türlerinin izolasyonu ve tanımlanması ve katı atıkların biyolojik dönüşümü için kullanımı Özet: Farklı habitatlardan toplanan Trichoderma spp.’nin yerli populasyonlar karakterize edilmiş ve miktarları belirlenmiştir. Tanımlanan suşlar, T. harzianum (IMI-392432, 392433, 392434); T. pseudokoningii (IMI-392431) ve T. virens (IMI-392430) olarak isimlendirilmiştir. Beş
