A genus of fungi has been found to have better control of soil pathogens than conventional pesticides, and can also help breed vegetable seedlings, research in China has shown.
Chen Chien-wei, an associate researcher at the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, said: “Trichoderma has a better effect on enhancing plant growth, such as seed germination rate, root extension and plant growth rate.'
With only a single dose of the fungi genus, the flower number and production of vegetable seedlings can be enhanced and the harvest stage can be prolonged for one to two months, Chen told CNA, adding that he has found good results in growing tomatoes, cabbages, cucumbers and peppers.
The survival rate can even be increased to at least 95 percent from some 60-70 percent, he said.
The associate researcher added that only three out of ten nursery farms in China are currently using this method, but that they have all seen good results.
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