Isolation and antagonistic test of fungi associated with pummelo citrus against Botryodiplodia theobromae in vitro

Abstract

Botryodiplodia theobromae is one of the causal agents of diplodia stem-end rot in pummelo citrus. Currently reported, indigenous microbes which are associated with plants can improve plant health by controlling diseases and promoting plant growth. This study aims to determine the potential of fungi associated with pummelo citrus in inhibiting B. theobromae in vitro. Identification of the fungus which associates with pummelo citrus is determined by observing the cultural morphological and microscopic characteristics. The antagonist test was performed using dual culture method. The collected data was analyzed with a completely randomized design with 13 treatments and 3 replications. The results showed that there were isolates of fungi associated with pummelo citrus which were identified as Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Mucor and Fusarium genera. There were 7 isolates of fungi which have the potential to inhibit B. theobromae which were from genera Trichoderma and Aspergillus. The antagonist mechanisms that occurred in this study were competition and parasitism.