Growth of Catenaria anguillulae on different substratesfor its mass culture

Catenaria anguillulae has been reported to cause disease of nematodes and may be a potential biocontrol agent. Brans of wheat, rice, pea, pigeonpea, lentil and chickpea; meals of maize, soyabean and chickpea; straws of mustard, linseed, wheat and rice; and saw dust, farmyard manure and molasses were tested to identify a substrate that is most suitable for mass culture of C. anguillulae. Only six substrates supported the growth of the fungus, with maximum growth on wheat bran agar medium followed byfarmyard manure agar. Different concentrations of wheat bran were tested and a concentration of 6% supported maximum growth of the fungus. Wheat bran and sand along with 0.5% linseed oil-cake were tested in different ratios 3:97, 6:94, 12:88, 18:82, 24:76, 30:70, 50:50 and 75:25 for the mass culture of C. anguillulae. Wheat bran and sand (w:w) 12:88 showed very good growth of the fungus. Farmyard manure, pea bran and maize meal were also tested for mass culture and compared with wheat bran in the aboveratio (12:88). Wheat bran was superior to other substrates for mass culture of C. anguillulae.