Abstract. Gustianingtyas M, Herlinda S, Suwandi, Suparman, Hamidson H, Hasbi, Setiawan A, Verawaty M, Elfita, Arsi. 2020. Toxicity of entomopathogenic fungal culture filtrate of lowland and highland soil of South Sumatra against Spodoptera litura larvae. Biodiversitas 21: 1839-1849. The use of secondary fungal metabolites for the active ingredient of mycoinsecticide is more effective and more easily integrated with other pest control techniques. This study aimed to measure the toxicity of the culture filtrate of entomopathogenic fungi originating from South Sumatra against the Spodoptera litura larvae. Beauveria bassiana (25 isolates) and Metarhizium anisopliae (20 isolates) of South Sumatra were cultured in liquid media and filtered to produce culture filtrate. The larvae which were sick due to the filtrate showed the symptoms of decreased appetite and were not actively moving, while the dead larvae were characterized by being wrinkled, dry, black integument, and odorless. Mortality caused by B. bassiana filtrate was the highest 98% (BJgTs isolate) and not significantly different from the BSwTd2 isolate (94.67%). Yet, the LT50 BSwTd2 isolate was shorter (5.92 days) compared to the LT50 BJgTs isolate (6.35 days). The most toxic M. anisopliae filtrate produced the mortality of 96% (MKbTp2 isolate) and 85.33% (MPdB isolate) each of which had LT50 of 7.36 days and 8.09 days, respectively. So, the most toxic culture filtrate was BSwTd2 isolate of B. bassiana and MKbTp2 isolate of M. anisopliae. The entomopathogenic fungi producing filtrate which are toxic have the potential to be active ingredients of mycoinsecticides.

Background The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a new invasive pest in Indonesia causing financial losses. S. frugiperda larvae hide in the leaf midrib all day. To overcome the hidden larvae, pathogenic endophytic fungi are needed. The objective of this research was to molecularly identify the endophytic fungal species from South Sumatra and determine the most pathogenic species against S. frugiperda larvae. Endophytic fungal identification was based on morphological and molecular characteristics. The molecular identification was based on gene sequential analysis of Intergenic Transcribed Spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS 4. Bioassay of the endophytic fungal species was treated against the 2nd larval instar of S. frugiperda. Result The results of molecular identification revealed endophytic fungal species consisted of Chaetomium sp. (GaTpeOi, JgTjPr, PiCrPga, and CaCjPga isolates), Aspergillus niger (L.) Van Tieghem (PsgTjPr, JgByU, and JaBuBys), Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (JgSPK, JaGiP, JaSpkPGA(2), JgCrJr, and JaTpOi (1) isolates), Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boed. (JaGiPRB, CMTJP, JaMsBys, JaSpkPga(3), and JgTgSr isolates), Aspergillus flavus Link. (JgPWSR isolate), Penicillium citrinum Thom F 1539 (JaTpOi(2) isolate), and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin (CaTpPGA isolate). All fungal isolates were deposited in the GenBank. The endophytic fungal species of B. bassiana (JgSPK isolate) caused up to (22.67%) mortality, C. lunata (JaSpkPga(3) isolate) caused (17.33%) mortality, and M. anisopliae (CaTpPga isolate) caused (8%) mortality of the pest’s larvae. First report of B. bassiana and C. lunata isolated from maize (Zea mays L.), while M. anisopliae was isolated from red chili (Capsicum annuum L.) as entomopathogenic endophytic fungi against S. frugiperda larvae in Indonesia. Conclusion The endophytic fungi species of B. bassiana, C. lunata, and M. anisopliae had potentials as entomopathogens of S. frugiperda.

Abstract. Herlinda S, Gustianingtyas M, Suwandi S, Suharjo R, Sari JMP, Suparman, Hamidson H, Hasyim H. 2022. Endophytic fungi from South Sumatra (Indonesia) in seed-treated corn suppressing Spodoptera frugiperda growth. Biodiversitas 23: 6024-6031. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of endophytic fungi in seed-treated corn on S. frugiperda growth. A total of 20 isolates of endophytic fungi were molecularly identified, namely Chaetomium sp. (GaTpeOi, JgTjPr, PiCrPga, and CaCjPga isolates), Aspergillus niger (PsgTjPr, JgByU, and JaBuBys isolates), Beauveria bassiana (JgSPK, JaGiP, JaSpkPGA(2) isolates), JgCrJr, dan JaTpOi (1) isolates), Curvularia lunata (JaGiPRB, CMTJP, JaMsBys, JaSpkPga(3), and JgTgSr isolates), Aspergillus flavus (JgPWSR isolate), Penicillium citrinum (JaTpOi(2) isolate), and Metarhizium anisopliae (CaTpPGA isolate). Of the 20 isolates, 4 isolates (JgSPK, JaGiP, JgCrJr, JaTpOi (1)) of B. bassiana and one isolate of each C. lunata (JaSpkPga (3)), and M anisoplae (CaTpPga) were found to be more pathogenic to S. frugiperda larvae. The endophytic fungi had negative effect on S. frugiperda growth. B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and C. lunata decreased the percentage of pupal and adult emergence, and the number of eggs laid by treated female adults. The fungi also shorten the adult longevity and increased the larval mortality. This is the first report of pathogenicity of C. lunata against S. frugiperda. These findings highlight the potential of endophytic fungi, namely B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and C. lunata from South Sumatra to protect young maize plant against S. frugiperda by seed treatment.