Avinash Sharma

Arunachal University Of Studies, India

Abstract Title:Intrinsic response and gene mechanism of trichoderma in the slow decomposition of cocopeat

Biography:

I am Avinash Sharma with a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Central Agricultural University, Imphal and an M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology from UAS Bangalore. My research focused on rice anther culture and plant regeneration. I have over 9 years of experience in university academics and research or Farm Management. I worked at Trimurti Plant Sciences as Sales Executive and as Assistant Professor at Arunachal University of Studies and RNB Global University. I teach Agricultural Biotechnology, Genetics, Crop Physiology and Biochemistry. I guide students in research and practicals. I have published 36 papers in Scopus, ESCI, SCI, Web of Science and UGC-CARE journals and attended conferences in agricultural sciences.

Research Interest:

Cocopeat has unique properties that support slow decomposition and natural growth of Trichoderma. It contains chemical components and regulatory factors that may stimulate fungal growth, although the exact compounds and mechanisms are still not clearly understood. High levels of lignin and cellulose in cocopeat promote the presence of actinomycetes and deuteromycetes, which contribute to its slow breakdown. Environmental factors such as temperature, pH, nutrients, aeration, and chemical composition directly influence both Trichoderma growth and decomposition rate. Key structural components like lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, suberin, and cutin are analyzed using sodium hydroxide treatment and advanced techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis. Decomposition behavior is studied using a Mettler thermogravimetric analyzer, along with thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to understand different stages of breakdown. The distributed activation energy model (DAEM) is applied to examine reaction kinetics. For Trichoderma analysis, different types of Murashige and Skoog (MS) media are used, along with molecular tools such as microarray analysis, expressed sequence tags, Blast2GO, and clustering methods. Gene regulation involves processes like signal transduction, transcription, translation, and protein folding, controlled by transcription factors such as PacC. Additional techniques like dye decolorization assays, genome-wide analysis, and whole-genome sequencing help identify genes linked to decomposition. These approaches together improve understanding of Trichoderma growth, its genetic response, and the slow decomposition process in cocopeat.