EFFECTIVENESS OF AVIRULENT FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. Sp. CEPAE IN CONTROLLING FUSARIUM WILT DISEASE ON CHILI

Abstract

Fusarium wilt disease on chile, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. capsici, is a serious disease which can decrease growth, yield quantity and quality of pepper, and threaten chili production in Indonesia. The disease is difficult to control because of the presence of the pathogen in the xylem so that it can not be reached by fungicide. Biological control by using avirulent then becomes a good alternative to control the disaese due to its effectiveness in controlling moler disease on shallot. This study was done to know the effectiveness of avirulent Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae formulated in zeolite powder in controlling fusarium wilt on chili. This experiment was single factor arranged in Randomized Completely Block Design with 3 replications. The treatment was A = control, B = the use of the formulated avirulent Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae 0,4 g/plant, and C = the use of the formulated Gliocladium sp. 0,5 g/plant. Four-week chili seedling of Lado variety was planted with 60 x 40 cm plant spacing. Before planting, the formulated biocontrol agents were applied by placing them in the planting hole as much as the dose used in the treatment. Disease intensity and yield variables (fruit number/plant, fruit weight/plant, and fruit length and diameter) were observed. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. The results showed that the effectiveness of avirulent Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae could not be evaluated due to the very low disease intensity in the field. The use of biocontrol agents did not affect the yield. Keywords: Fusarium wilt, chili, avirulent Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae, disease intensity