International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278-3202 7 11 2018 11 10 Influence of selected heavy metal on mycelial growth response of Trichoderma isolate 10 17 EN Sharma Arti 1 Department of Zoology, University of Jammu, J&K-180006, India Singh Radhika 2 Department of Zoology, University of Jammu, J&K-180006, India . Bandhana 3 Department of Zoology, University of Jammu, J&K-180006, India Sangotra Rashmi 4 Department of Zoology, University of Jammu, J&K-180006, India Abdullahi H.J. 1 Department of Biology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Alonge S.O. 2 Department of Biology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Zarafi A.B. 3 Department of Crop Protection, Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria > Research Paper 2018 7 18 2018 11 10 Heavy metal pollutants are increasingly being released into the environment. These metal ions in soil may influence mycelial growth of Trichoderma isolate which is a well-known bio control agent, this necessitated the evaluation of influence of copper, lead and cadmium on the mycelial growth response of Trichoderma isolate. Trichoderma species was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of uncultivated lands at four sampling sites; Hanwa lowcost, Kabama, Ahmadu Bello University Gymnasium and Bomo all in SabonGari L.G. A, Zaria, Nigeria. The isolate was then sent to International Mycological Institute (IMI), CABI BIOSCIENCE, UK for confirmation as Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The mycelial growth response of T. longibrachiatum on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) with six concentrations (0, 10, 100, 200, 500 and 1000ppm) of CuSO4, Cd (NO3)2 and Pb(NO3)2and also their combinations were evaluated. These treatments in four repetitions were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). The results obtained in this study indicated that, Trichoderma longibrachiatum is present in soils collected from uncultivated lands of SabonGari Local Government Area of Zaria, Nigeria. Mycelial growth of T. longibrachiatum was observed to decrease generally with increase in concentrations of the heavy metals when compared with the control. It was further observed that, T. longibrachiatum, was unable to grow at 500 and 1000 ppm CuSO4. The combination of Cd(NO3)2 and Pb(NO3)2 in the metal combinations Cd+Pb and Cd+Cu+Pb significantly reduced T. longibrachiatum mycelial growth. In conclusion, the presence of CuSO4, Cd(NO3)2 and Pb(NO3)2 in growth media (Potato Dextrose Agar, PDA) significantly reduced mycelial growth of T. longibrachiatum. Copyright@ International Science Community Association