Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Control using a Solid Formulation of Selected Endophytic Bacteria, Bacillus pseudomycoides Strain SLBE 1.1SN

Bemisia tabaci is a major pest in chili as it can act as a vector for transmitting the yellow curl virus. Endophytic bacteria have been reported to trigger plant defense against whiteflies. This study aimed to obtain a solid formula for the endophytic bacteria B. pseudomycoides strain SLBE1.1SN and a storage duration that effectively controls whitefly. This experimental study used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 26 treatments and repeated three times. The treatments combined different types of endophytic bacterial carrier formulas and storage duration, synthetic insecticide treatment (Imidacloprid), and control. The treatments were applied to chili seeds and seedlings. The results showed that not all stored endophytic bacterial formulation could suppress the whitefly population on chili plants. The formula B. pseudomycoides strain SLBE1.1SN with rice straw as carrier material at six weeks storage was the best formula for controlling whitefly. This suggests that the formulation of stored endophytic bacteria not only reduced the number of eggs laid, but also suppressed the development of nymphs and imago.