Biocontrol Potential of Rhizosphere Fungi Against Pyricularia Oryzae in Ciherang Rice Variety

Abstract

Blast disease is an important disease of rice caused by Pyricularia oryzae. The use of antagonistic fungi from the rhizosphere of rice plants has the potential to control plant pathogens. One of them is from the genus Aspergillus. This research aims to test the ability of Aspergillus genus fungi in suppressing the intensity of P. oryzae attack on ciherang rice varieties. The research methods were isolation and identification of rhizosphere fungi, propagation of P. oryzae, antagonistic test of rhizosphere fungi against P. oryzae in vivo, and reisolation of fungi from rice plant tissues. This research used a completely randomised design (CRD) consisting of 9 treatments and 3 replications. Data obtained from this research were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honest significant difference test at the 5% level The results showed that Aspergillus sp1 and Aspergillus sp2 fungi could significantly reduce the intensity of blast disease attack caused by P. oryzae isolates from Moncongloe and Simbang regions..