Entomopathogenicity of endophytic fungi isolated from Payo rice variety in Kerinci, Indonesia

Abstract Background Endophytic fungi can colonize and live in plant tissues without causing disease or harming their host plants. Some related endophytic fungi can also act as entomopathogens. The diversity and level of pathogenicity of endophytic fungi can be influenced by various factors, such as rice varieties and the location where they grow. Payo rice variety is one of the highest rice-producing areas in Jambi Province, Indonesia. There have been no reports of high brown plant hopper attacks on the Payo rice variety. This study aimed to determine the entomopathogenicity of endophytic fungi isolated from Payo rice varieties grown in Kerinci Regency, Indonesia. Result Based on the research, 62 isolates of endophytic fungi were successfully isolated from the roots, tillers, and leaves of the Payo rice variety. The highest colonization rate occurred in the leaves (57.00%) and the lowest in the roots (44.00%). An entomopathogenicity test was carried out on the 62 isolates obtained against Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and one control ( T. molitor without isolate application) was added as a comparison. All treatments were done, respectively, in four replications. There were 14 isolates classified as entomopathogenic, which caused mortality of T. molitor larvae in the range of 2.5–100%, but only isolates PYA31, PYB11, PYB 13, PYB23 caused mortality and mycosis up to 100%. Meanwhile, PYB31 and PYB53 caused low mortality and mycosis. The six isolates were then observed for their growth morphologically using a binocular microscope with 400 × magnification and identified molecularly using ITS Primer. The observations revealed that the potential endophytic fungal species as entomopathogens of the Payo variety were Beauveria bassiana (PYA 31, PYB 11, PYB13, PYB23) with DNA bands in the range of 543–546 bp, Trichoderma yunnanense (PYB 31) with DNA bands at 577 bp, and Aspergillus flavus (PYB53) with DNA bands at 573 bp. Conclusion Entomopathogenic fungi isolated from Payo rice variety were successfully identified as Beauveria bassiana, Trichoderma yunnanense, and Aspergillus flavus . Of the three species, B. bassiana was the isolate with the highest entomopathogenicity and mycosis ability (100%). Controlling brown plant hopper and other pest insects using this fungus in the future is considered a safe and environmentally friendly measure.