Evaluation of Plant Leaves, Oil Cakes and Agro-Industrial Wastes as Substrates for Mass Multiplication of the Nematophagous Fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus

The suitability of leaves of certain plant species, oilcakes, as well as waste products of sago industry were evaluated as substrates for mass multiplication of the nematophagous fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thorn.) Samson. Leaves of subabool and neem were found to be suitable substrates and supported a highcr spore load than tanners cassia, Pongamia and Glyricidia. Tapioca tuber and its peels also supported a moderately high spore load. Untreated thippi supported the least spore load. However, the spore load of P. lilacinus was significantly increased when thippi was soaked in KH₂Po₄ and NaNO₃ at 0.75% concentration. The oilcakes favoured the growth of P. lilacinus.