Formulation of a biocontrol agent by entrapping biomass of Trichoderma viride in gluten matrix

A procedure for the formulation of biocontrol fungi involving the immobilization of wet biomass within gluten was developed. The release of active fungi from formulated preparations to soil was governed by the soil pH, the moisture content in soil, and the entrapped biomass content. After incorporation to loamy soils having initial moisture content of 5-20%, all formulated agents could generate 10(6)-10(7) colony forming units g(-1) soil in the second week. The use of formulated preparations reduced the amount of biomass required, compared with non-formulated fungi as biocontrol agents.