POTENTIAL OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM CHILLI AS BIOINSECTICIDES AGAINST TENEBRIO MOLITOR LIN. AND SPODOPTERA LITURA FAB. LARVAE

Abstract

Endophytic fungus is a fungus that is associated with healthy host tissues without causing disease symptoms. T h i s f u n g u s can be developed as the biological control agent of chilli pests. This study i s aimed a t isolating, selecting and evaluating the potency of endophytic fungi from chilli crops (Capsicum annuum L.) as bioinsecticides. Endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves, trunk, branches and roots of chilli. Screening endophytic fungal isolates pathogenic to insect were conducted using fifth instar larvae of Tenebrio molitor. The isolates with the highest mortality were further assayed against Spodoptera litura larvae. The results of the research showed that of the 46 isolates of endophytic fungi that were successfully isolated from chilli, 22 isolates were pathogenic (47.82%) and 24 isolates not pathogenic in insects. Mortality of T. molitor larvae ranged from 15- 30% and the percentage of sporulation ranged from 11.11- 100%. Endophytic fungi werealso able to infect S. litura larvae. Mortality of second instar S. litura larvae ranged from 23.34-64.99%, depending up on the conidial concentrations. Endophytic fungi from chilli were pathogenic in insect and can be developed as bioinsecticides identified as Aspergillus flavus.