Abstract. Simamora AV, Hahuly MV, Henuk JBD. 2021. Endophytic fungi as potential biocontrol agents of Phytophthora palmivora in the cocoa plant. Biodiversitas 22: 2601-2609. In Indonesia, the cocoa tree is one of the essential cultivation crops for farmers. Despite the importance of cocoa cultivation in Indonesia's economy, the productivity of this crop has declined. Cocoa black pod disease caused by Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) is one of the most severe diseases affecting this crop worldwide, with average annual losses above 40%. Instead of using manufactured chemicals, biological control is an effective and eco-friendly alternative control measure against plant pathogens. This work aimed to assess the potential of endophytic fungi isolated from healthy cocoa pods to control Phytophthora palmivora in vitro and in vivo. Endophytic fungal isolates were classified based on the morphological characteristics of their cultures and reproductive structures. All isolates found were tested to inhibit P. palmivora in the dual culture method, and the best 10 isolates were continued for detached pod assay. Then, the best five isolates (Aspergillus4, Aspergillus5, Aspergillus6, Fusarium6, Ramichloridium sp.) were evaluated for their capability to reduce P. palmivora in cocoa seedlings and in the field plants. Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Ramichloridium showed maximum activity against P. palmivora in dual culture, pod, and seedling assays. Nevertheless, when all these five isolates were applied in the field, they did not suppress the disease development.
Background Brown spot disease is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of rice. Biological control of this disease is considered more environmentally safe, but the biological control agents have limited availability. The fungus Trichoderma can be used as a biocontrol agent for various plant diseases, including brown spots. Indigenous Trichoderma species from West Timor were evaluated in this study to reveal their effectiveness in reducing brown spot disease of upland rice. The study was conducted under a screen house condition using a factorial treatment design laid out in a completely randomized design. The two factors were the brown spot disease control method (T. viride, T. harzianum, T. hamatum, fungicide Trivia 73 WP, and a control treatment) and upland rice genotype (Inpago 7 and Breun Senaren 2). Results The results showed that Trichoderma spp. and the fungicide Trivia 73 WP caused significantly lower AUDPC and apparent infection rate than the control treatment. The total phenol content and agronomic characters (number of reproductive tillers per plant, number of filled grains per panicle, grain yield per plant) were higher in the Trichoderma and fungicide treatments than the control treatment. Meanwhile, tannin and saponin levels were non-significantly different among treatments. Trichoderma and the fungicide Trivia treatments effectively suppressed brown spot disease of upland rice, and the efficacy was dependent on the rice variety, with a mean efficacy range over the two varieties of 27.05–36.42%. The Trichoderma and the fungicide Trivia treatments increased the grain yield per plant differentially in the 2 rice varieties, with a mean grain yield increase over the 2 varieties of 13.0% (T. viride), 23.5% (T. harzianum), 35.0% (T. hamatum), and 19.9% (Trivia 73 WP). Conclusion Efficacy of local Trichoderma of West Timor and the fungicide Trivia treatments were varietal dependent with T. hamatum being the most effective in reducing the brown spot disease and producing the highest grain yield increase over the 2 rice varieties. The local Trichoderma species of West Timor have a future potential as biocontrol agents of upland rice brown spot disease, but it is necessary to further evaluate their effectiveness against the disease in replicated field trials.
Sub-districts Kie and Fatumnasi are two sub-districts in mainland West Timor that cultivate local potatoes from Soe. This germplasm needs to be preserved and developed to diversify non-rice alternative food. One of the main obstacles in cultivating potatoes is the presence of pests, but so far there have been no reports of pests on local potato plants from Soe from the two sub-districts, so this research needs to be done. This study aimed at an inventory of important pests on local potato plants from Soe as a database for early detection to prevent the occurrence of explosive pests. This research was conducted on potato plantations in Fatuulan Village, Ayofanu Village, Nunleu Village, and Nenas Village. The method used is a purpose survey at a specified sample point. A sampling of insect pests is done by direct observation and insect nets. The pests found were put in a killing bottle or 70% alcohol, collected, and identified. Observation variables include the type of pest, symptoms of pest attack, and morphological characteristics of the stadia found. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that five species of pests damaged local potatoes from Soe. The five pests were Spodoptera litura, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata, Liriomyza sp, Phthorimaea operculella, and Nezara viridula. The identification results showed that in Kie District there were three pest species, namely S. litura, H. vigintioctomaculata, and Liriomyza sp. Meanwhile, in Fatumnasi District, there were four types of pests, namely H. vigintioctomaculata, Liriomyza sp, P. operculella, and N. viridula
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