The utilization of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in controlling local rice tungro diseases in South Kalimantan

Abstract

Salamiah, Wahdah R. 2015. The utilization of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in controlling local rice tungro diseases in South Kalimantan. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1448-1456. Local rice is a germplasm that should get the attention of all stakeholders due to its existence that is threatened to disappear and in the last few years, it was reported that tungro disease attack resulted in crop failure. The long-term goal to be achieved was to control this tungro virus by environmentally safe and sound ways (agricultural products that are healthy, safe to consumers and also to the environment) by doing the induction of resistance system to the local rice varieties. Plant defense (resistance) to a pathogen can be obtained by activating the plant defense system and the use of resistant varieties. The special target of this research was to isolate, characterize and also to apply the Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) as one of the biological agents that was potential as suppress the tungro disease in South Kalimantan. The utility of this research would be used as an initial effort to help to control the tungro disease attack and to prevent greater losses of the crops. The research was done at Biological Control and Phytopathology Laboratory, Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture Lambung Mangkurat University Banjarbaru, and in swamp land paddy fields at Balandean Village, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan. The isolation of PGPR was conducted in swamp land paddy fields at Balandean Village, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan and 15 isolates of PGPR were successfully collected. Five out of 15 isolates that were potential to be biological agents then used as inducers to induce the plant defense to tungro disease attack. These five isolates used as inducer were because of their ability to produce sufficient amounts of HCN and dissolve phosphate. Three isolates were then tested in the field. The results indicated that PGPR application had not been able to suppress the rice tungro disease locally but there was one isolate (Pseudomonas fluorescence isolate 2) that could suppress rice tungro disease attacking Inpara-4 and 5 (national varieties are already grown and adapted in the Balandean swamp land rice fields).