Efektivitas Trichoderma harzianum OC12 dalam menekan Phytophthora palmivora penyebab penyakit busuk buah kakao

Abstract

Cocoa black-pod disease caused by Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) is one of the important cocoa diseases. Yield losses caused by this disease can reach 90%. Several methods for controlling this disease are to be developed, including using biological agents, i.e. Trichoderma harzianum. Several studies have shown that T. harzianum can suppress P. palmivora. In our previous studies, T. harzianum OC12 had been identified as indigenous fungi from organic coffee farms. However, these isolates have not been tested against P. palmivora. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of T. harzianum OC12 in suppressing the growth of P. palmivora in vitro. The testing method carried out begins with the re-cultured of the collection isolates. T. harzianum OC12 was in vitro confronted with P. palmivora on PDA agar plate. According to the test results, T. harzianum OC12 had the highest inhibition (84.1%) and an average suppression (79.5%) that was rated as strong category. The ability of T. harzianum OC12 to successfully inhibit P. palmivora makes it a candidate for development as a biological agent or bio-fungicide