| dc.description.abstract | One of factors that results in suboptimum productivity of corn is lack of good management and cultivation, and the presence of plant pests and diseases. Several attempts to improve the productivity of corn has been developed continuously, including the use of natural agents such as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungal biocontrol agents as control component in IPM. The objective of this study was to compare IPM based corn crop management involving PGPR and bicontrol agents with conventional method on plant growth, yield, and pest/diseases occurence. Field observations of the crop pests and diseases, and their intensity and severity were conducted as well as measurements of plant height, girth, number of leaves, and number of cobs. Interview with the farmer was also done. The use of PGPR containing mixture of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus polymixa combined with application of Trichoderma sp., Verticillium sp., and organic fertilizer to meet IPM concepts resulted in maintaining optimum plant height, number of leaves, and number of cobs. The plant also showed to acquire resistance against pests and diseases. In general, the IPM based plant management gives better performance of growth and yield and lower occurence of corn pest and diseases than that of conventional method. The cost for growing corn based on IPM was higher than that conventional method, however, gave more yield benefit. IPM approach is concluded to be more profitable than conventional method. | en |
