Abstract
This research was aimed to isolate and identify microbes which antagonistic against Fusarium oxysporum, the causative agent of vascular wilt in watermelon plants. The antagonistic microbes were isolated from soil samples collected from rhizosphere of watermelon farm located at west Sanur village, South Denpasar, Bali. Isolation of fungi and bacteria were conducted on potato dextrose agar medium (PDA) and nutrient agar medium (NA), respectively. Fungal isolates were then observed under light microscope for its morphological characteristics before identification using a reference book. Bacterial isolates were characterized using various tests, such as gram stain reaction, existence of endospores, catalase reaction, and ability to ferment various sugars. Their characteristics were then compared with those described in a reference book. Two fungal species (Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride) and two bacterial antagonists (Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp.) were found to have potential to be developed as biocontrol agents to inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum.
Highlights
According to report Indonesian Statistical Agent in 2011, watermelon production in Indonesia reached 474,327 tons in 2009
Fungal and bacterial antagonists were isolated from soils collected randomly from rhizosphere zone of watermelon farm in west Sanur area
Two potential fungal and two bacterial antagonists were successfully isolated in this project
Summary
According to report Indonesian Statistical Agent in 2011, watermelon production in Indonesia reached 474,327 tons in 2009. Production of this fruit decreased sharply in 2010 where its production was only 348,631 tons. The main cause of this decrease was attributed by vascular wilt due to Fusarium oxysporum infection (Budiastuti et al, 2012). This fungus is a soil borne pathogen causing many severe problems in many agricultural crops, including water melon. Plants infected by this fungus will show specific characteristics, such as stem rot with browny color and drying leaves. Long term application of these fungicides has been claimed to have negative impact on ecosystems due to its long half-life (Djunaedi, 2009)
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