The Use of Endophyte Fungal Isolates in controlling Fusarium oxysporum, The Causal Agent of Wilt Disease on Chili (Capsicum annuum)
Erma Dewi*, Ade Rosmana, Tutik Kuswinanti

Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University
Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan KM. 10 Tamalanrea Makassar 90245 Indonesia

Abstract

Fusarium oxysporum as the causal agent of wilt disease infects systemically on the chili plant (Capsicum annuum) and cause a significant loss on its production. To control this fungus, we isolated and identified beneficial fungi from stem, leaf, and fruit tissues. Then, the work tested fungi capability to inhibit the pathogen in vitro and to enter of plant tissues. The results of the work indicated that seven fungus isolates consisted of Trichoderma 1, Trichoderma 2, Aspergillus, Fusarium 1, Fusarium 2, Lasiodiplodia 1, and Lasiodiplodia 2 were identified. Trichoderma and Lasiodiplodia were found from leaf and fruit tissues, whereas Aspergillus and Fusarium were isolated from leaf and stem tissues. The inhibition of F. oxysporium by these seven fungal isolates in vitro nine days post dual culture was 53.9%, 62.5%, 38.9%, 38,3%, 26.9%, 29,4%, and 34.7%, respectively. Endophyte study with Trichoderma morphospecies 2 showed that the isolate could colonize 84% of the root, 60% of the stem, and 75% of leaf tissues three weeks after inoculation through roots. Therefore, the research results demonstrate the presence of endophytic fungus derived from the chili plant that is potential to control wilt disease in vivo.

Keywords: chili, endophytic fungus, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichoderma, wilt disease.

Topic: Integrated Pest and Disease Management