Potential of Beauveria bassiana Lowland Isolates against Spodoptera litura in Tobacco Plant

Abstract

The study of the ability of Beauveria bassiana lowland isolates as biological control of Spodoptera litura larvae needs to be done because of the specific characteristics of biological control that are site specific and host specific. The research objectives are: 1) analyze B. bassiana lowland isolates which were effective in suppressing S. litura attacks in the field and 2) analyze the ability of B. bassiana lowland isolates to increase the production of Kasturi tobacco. The study was conducted using Randomized Block Design (RAK) with 4 replications. Treatment consisted of application: (1) B. bassiana lowland isolate strain 715 0.4 gram/liter, (2) B. bassiana lowland isolate strain 725 0.4 gram/liter, (3) B. bassiana lowland isolate strain Jember spore density 109 spores/ml, (4) B. bassiana lowland isolate strain Jombang spore density 109 spores/ml, (5) B. bassiana highland isolate strain Temanggung spore density 109 spores/ml and (6) synthetic chemical insecticides 2 gram/liter. The result showed that B. bassiana lowland isolate strain Jombang succeeded in suppressing leaf damage due to S. litura attack 50% - 60% compared to other B. bassiana isolates and has the potential to be developed into biological control products against S. litura in lowland Kasturi tobacco plants.