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 = 0.05) 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 (31.80%) and weight (30.80%) 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.