Production of Indol-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) by fungal isolates of taro (Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum) rhizosphere

Abstract

Many taros (Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum) grow in Sulawesi due to their large scale acceptability and high return per unit area, but their productivity is still low. In this study, fungi producing indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) were selected and characterized from the taro rhizosphere with the aim that it can be applied in stimulating the growth and production of this plant. By analyzing the content of IAA in the medium of fungi isolated, 12 fungal isolates were found producing this compound. The highest level of IAA is provided by isolate ETR 33 (8.89 ppm), ETR 29 (8.21 ppm), and ETR 5 (7.82 ppm). These isolates were identified as Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Aspergillus, respectively. These data that three strains of fungi were identified and characterized as the producer of IAA and potentially be used to develop a bio-fertilizer to increase the productivity of taro.