The use of endophyte fungal isolates in controlling Fusarium oxysporum, the causal agent of wilt disease on chilli (Capsicum annuum)

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science Vol. 807; no. 2; pp. 22104 - 22111
• Main Authors: Dewi, E, Rosmana, A, Kuswinanti, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.07.2021
• Subjects: Aspergillus; Capsicum annuum; Disease control; Endophytes; Fruits; Fungi; Fusarium; Fusarium oxysporum; Inoculation; Lasiodiplodia; Leaves; Peppers; Plant tissues; Stems; Trichoderma; Wilt
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/807/2/022104

Abstract Fusarium oxysporum as the causal agent of wilt disease infected systemically on the chili plant ( Capsicum annuum ) and cause a significant loss on its production. To control the pathogenic fungi, we isolated and identified the beneficial fungi from stem, leaf, and fruit tissues of healthy plants. Then, the work tested fungi capability to inhibit the pathogen in vitro and to enter plant tissues. The results of the work indicated that seven fungi isolates consisting 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. oxysporum by these seven fungi isolates in vitro about nine days after 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 80% of leaf tissues three weeks after inoculation through roots. Therefore, the research results demonstrate the presence of endophytic fungi derived from the chili plant that is potential to control wilt disease in vivo .