SELECTION OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM SHALLOT THAT POTENTIAL AS ENTOMOPATHOGENS ON TENEBRIO MOLITOR AND SPODOPTERA LITURA LARVAE

ABSTRACT Endophytic fungi are fungi that that live inside healthy plant tissues without causing diseases which can be used as biological control agents of shallot pests. The purpose of this study was to obtain types of endophytic fungi that are pathogenic to Tenebrio molitor and Spodoptera litura larvae (entomopathogens). Endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy plant (roots, bulbs, stems, and leaves) using Malt Extract Agar (MEA) medium. The pathogenicity test of the isolated endophytic fungus was carried out on the larvae of Tenebrio molitor and Spodoptera litura. The results showed that out of the 34 isolates tested; only eight isolates (23.52%) were entomopathogenic. Pathogenic nature is indicates the presence of mycosis symptoms in T. molitor larvae. The mortality of T. molitor larvae after the application of endophytic fungi ranged from 5.0 – 17.5%. These isolates are also pathogenic to S. litura larvae, but the mortality ranged from 8-56%. The endophytic fungus that is pathogenic to insect (entomopathogen) belong to Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Trichoderma.