Potential biocontrol of endophytic fungi against Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, causal agent of cocoa dieback on cocoa seedling
V Membalik1, A Asman1,2*, N Amin1, A K F Bahar1

1 Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
2 Cocoa Research Group (CRG), Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Endophytic fungi associated with cocoa is one of the effective agents to control plant pathogens on cocoa, including the fungus Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. L. pseudotheobromae cause a significant disease on cocoa, cocoa dieback. The disease is considered an emerged disease on cocoa in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The research aimed to determine the effect of the endophytic fungi on L. pseudotheobromae on cocoa seedlings.. This study used a randomized block design consisting of 6 treatments and 3 replications. Five different fungi isolates were used that belongs to Aspergillus genera. The treatment is three isolates of endophytes fungi (isolate T2S2LT, T245LT, T645LT), Aspergillus isolates combination, and control (with and without pathogen). The results showed that the combination of isolates and T645LT isolate was the best treatments on suppressing necrotic symptoms (leaf spot) incidence and severity. Also, T645LT isolate performed well inhibit leaf blight symptoms incidence severity. Meanwhile, chlorotic symptom was reduced by isolates combination, followed by T2S2LT, T645LT, and T245LT. Endophytic fungi can potentially be an important option to control cocoa dieback disease.

Keywords: Endophytic Fungi, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae

Topic: Integrated Pest and Disease Management