Pengaruh Cendawan Endofit terhadap Biologi dan Pertumbuhan Populasi Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Acari: Tarsonemidae) pada Tanaman Cabai

Abstract

Broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus is one of the most important pests of pepper. High population of P. latus on pepper may cause death on plants. One of the alternative environmental-friendly control methods is the use of endophytic fungi. This study aimed to know effect of the endophytic fungi on biology and population growth of broad mite on pepper. The pepper seeds were soaked in miselium suspension for 12 hours and then planted. Three weeks after seeds planting, peppers were sprayed with miselium suspension. Broad mite collected from the field were reared on pepper in the laboratory. The same age-five female adults were infested on each pepper seedling a week after last inoculation of endophytic fungi. The population growth of broad mite were observed each week for 10 weeks. In the laboratory, 50 broad mite eggs were reared on pepper leaves and observed every 6 hours until adult emergence. P. latus then paired and observed everyday until all adults dead. Life cycle, fecundity, sex ratio and adult longevity were observed. The result showed that treatment of endhophytic fungi could increase pepper seeds viability. Several kinds of endophytic fungi also suppressed population growth, elongated praoviposition period, reduced mite fecundity and increase the number of male.