Abstract

Trichoderma asperellum TR3 has been applied as a biopesticide and Plant Growth Promotion Fungi (PGPF) but in the form of a suspension and substrate without the addition of carriers and adhesives so for long-term use and short shelf life. This study aims to obtain the right packaging formulation and have good viability, as well as a long storage time using talc and tapioca flour as the basic ingredients. The isolate collection was rejuvenated by growing in PDA medium, after completion of incubation for 48 hours, the growing fungal colonies were counted, isolated and purified, then made in the form of a powder starter. Test of various formulations of T. asperellum TR3 fungal powder packaging was carried out by viability test using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with packaging treatment on the formulation: P1 = Aluminum foil plastic, P2 = Bottle and P3 = Cetic plastic. Each treatment was repeated 3 times to obtain a combination of 9 treatment units. Furthermore, all packaging combinations were stored at room temperature. In the first month, 1 pack was taken for regrowth which aims to determine the viability of the conidia and then every two weeks for 12 weeks. The results showed that the average number of conidia colonies growing on various packages gave different viability results, but had no significant effect between formulations of various packages and viability. The average number of colonies that grew on aluminum foil plastic packaging was more in each observation of storage time compared to bottle and plastic packaging.

Introduction

The use of microorganisms as biological control agents has been widely carried out and provides benefits for increasing agricultural production in Indonesia (Hanudin and Marwoto 2012; Nur Amin et al., 2015; Ratna et al., 2020; Ratnawati et al., 2020). However, reports on the use of local or local microorganisms that have potential have not been widely carried out. Local microorganisms work more effectively, because they are supported by various appropriate environmental factors and do not result in ecosystem changes and implementation in the field is easier. According to Cook & Baker (1983), efforts to overcome plant diseases with biological practices provide good opportunities because the microorganisms are already available in the field and their activities can be controlled by the environment and the host.

The group of microorganisms, especially fungal microbes that are able to suppress pathogens, is in the Moniliales family, such as Verticillum sp., Trichoderma sp and Gliocladium sp. The genus Trichoderma sp. it is known that several species can parasitize other fungi and have the potential to be used as biological control (Santoso et al., 2007; Ratnawati et al., 2019; Ratnawati et al., 2020).

Microbes that are useful as components of natural habitats have important roles and functions in supporting the implementation of environmentally friendly agriculture through various processes such as decomposition of organic matter, mineralization of organic matter, besides that microbes are positioned as producers of nutrients for plants. Budiarti & Nurhayati (2014), reported that plants and microbes will interact and stimulate each other caused by the presence of root exudates. Fungi are heterotrophs, dominant on acid soils although they are also found in neutral or alkaline soils and some of them are sensitive to pH 9.0 but this sensitivity is important in overcoming plant diseases. The presence of fungi and bacteria as antagonist agents is able to influence the activity of microorganisms so that it is important to take into account the suppression of disease. In addition, many antagonist agents can stimulate plant growth because they are able to produce growth hormones, fix nitrogen, dissolve phosphate, and produce siderophores (Siti Hardiyanti et al., 2017).

Antagonistic microbes found in the rhizosphere and rhizoplan areas that can act as controlling agents include the genus Trichoderma sp, Penicillium sp and Asperigillus sp (Agrios., 2005), while Nirwanto & Mujoka (2009) reported that the microbes found in the phyllosphere were the genus Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp. , Trichoderma sp. , Stemphylium sp., Rhizopus sp., Curvularia sp. and Gliocladium sp. Furthermore, Sayang (2009) reported that microbial antagonists that are effective as biological controllers include Bacillus sp, Trichoderma sp, Penicillium sp and Clostridium sp.

Nur Amin et al. (2015) suggested that the application of non-pathogenic fungi to various types of plants would increase the resistance of the host plant to pathogen attack and be able to induce resistance in the upper part of the plant. The use of beneficial microbes in improving soil texture and structure by increasing its aggregation and stability (Rashid et al., 2016). The interaction between microbes and plants is an indicator of soil fertility (Hayat et al., 2010).

Many studies using the fungus Trichoderma sp. as an effective biological agent to control various pathogens, however, it is still experiencing obstacles related to storage time (Suhera et al., 2018). Trichoderma sp. is a group of fungi that are always associated with plants and soil. If this fungus is in plant tissue, it is called an endophytic fungus (Nur Amin et al., 2017). Trichoderma sp. is one of the endophytic fungi that can live in all parts of plant tissue both below ground and above ground, namely roots, stems and leaves (Kusari et al., 2012; Rosmana et al., 2018).

Ratnawati's previous research (2020) was in vitro starting from the microbial isolation stage, identification of microbes both macroscopically and microscopically, microbial screening, molecular identification, compatibility tests, antagonist tests, until superior and potential microbes were found as biopesticides and as plant growth microbes. Promotion Fungi (PGPF) obtained as many as 9 microbes that could potentially be used as biological agents. One of them is Trichoderma asperellum TR3.

Trichoderma asperellum TR3 is one of the rhizosphere fungi which is known as an antagonist fungus in both in vitro and in vivo tests which has the ability to suppress various types of pathogens in various plants. T.asperellum TR3 is a fungus with biopesticide and PGPF properties (Suhera 2018; Ratnawati et al., 2020; Ismail et al., 2020). T. asperellum (TR3) has been applied as a biopesticide and PGPF but in the form of a suspension and substrate without the addition of carriers and adhesives so that it is for long term use and has a short shelf life. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a formulation in powder form with various forms of packaging which will then be monitored for viability during storage.

Based on the description above, it is necessary to conduct research on the development of powder formulations of the fungus T.asperellum strain TR3 isolate in various forms of packaging formulations to determine the viability of the fungal formulation. This study aims to obtain the right packaging formulation and have good viability, with a duration of storage.