Farmers, Opinions on Utilization of Trichoderma harzianum, Controlling the Fungal Diseases in Rice Field, Bangplama District, Suphanburi Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study: 1) individual factors, economic factors, and exposure
of Trichoderma harzianum information. 2) knowledge of the fungal diseases in rice field and knowledge
of Trichoderma harzianum, 3) farmers,
opinions on utilization of Trichoderma harzianum, controlling the
fungal diseases in rice field, Bangplama district, Suphanburi province. 4) to find any problems with
farmers utilization of Trichoderma harzianum and be in a position to suggest possible solutions. Data were
collected from sampling 205 farmers by the interviews schedule. The statistical analysis which was used
for data analysis were percentage, arithmetic mean, frequency, standard deviation, minimum and maximum

The result of the research revealed that: 1) the farmers were male (59.5 percent), the average age
of 50.35 years old, the level of education was elementary, the average of household members was 3.69
persons, the average of experience in rice planting was 28.41 years, the average of rice planting area was
29.95 rais, the average of rice yield was 858.73 kilogram/rai, the average of household labor was 1.91
persons, the average ofProduction cost was 4,225.31 baht/rai and the average of income was 6,547.70
baht/rai. The most media exposure of Trichoderma harzianum information were agricultural extension
officer, training program and releases document. 2) farmer had the average knowledge on the fungal
diseases in rice field and the average knowledge on Trichoderma harzianum was at the high level, 3)
the farmers’ opinions on utilization of Trichoderma harzianum controlling the fungal diseases in rice field
was at the high level. 4) They indicated that there were problems with the storage of Trichoderma
harzianum fresh culture can be short term. The effective in controlling and prevention the fungal disease
were slower than using chemicals. Suggestions include the relevant authorities should focus on training
farmers about utilization of Trichoderma harzianum coming up and the government should encourage the
production of Trichoderma harzianum instead of chemicals substances.