FIRST REPORT: ISOLATION OF ENDOPHYTIC Trichoderma FROM OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) AND THEIR in vitro ANTAGONISTIC ASSESSMENT ON Ganoderma boninense

The isolation of endophytic Trichoderma from different tissues viz, leaf, rachis, stem and root of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) was investigated in this study. A total of six palms were sampled from two plantation plots and it was found that Trichoderma isolates were specifically colonising the stems and roots of oil palm and none were found in the leaves and rachis. Trichoderma selective media E (TME) was used for isolation. Identification of the isolates was further established using slide cultures. A total of 40 isolates were obtained with 10 from stem and 30 from root samples of oil palm. All isolates were subjected to dual culture assay; a preliminary assay to screen mycoparatisms potential through antagonistic activity against Ganoderma boninense. Subsequently, seven potential Trichoderma isolates were tested for their antibiosis properties through poison food agar assay. This is the first report of endophytic Trichoderma isolated from oil palm with biocontrol potential against G. boninense.