Characterization and virulence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense cause wilt disease in banana plants and its biological control using endophytic fungi Trichoderma spp. at West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

One of the obstacles in developing banana plants is the presence of Fusarium wilt disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense. This fungus is difficult to control because it has a survival structure in the form of chlamydospores that can survive as a saprophyte. One way to control it is biologically using the antagonist endophytic fungi Trichoderma spp. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and virulence of the fungus F. oxysporum f. sp cubense and its control using the endophytic fungi Trichoderma spp. The study used an exploratory method carried out in an endemic area of Fusarium wilt disease to isolate the fungus F. oxysporum f. sp cubense and the endophytic fungi Trichoderma spp. in the banana plant tissue. The research was continued in the laboratory, in the greenhouse, and in the field to test the effectiveness of the fungi Trichoderma spp. The results showed that seven isolates of the fungus F. oxysporum f sp cubense with different characteristics. Six isolates of the endophytic fungi Trichoderma spp. which is effective in suppressing the growth of the fungus F. oxysporum f. sp cubense, namely T. harzianum, T. koningii, T. aureoviride, T. hamatum, T. viride, and T. piluliferum.