Efficacy of several entomopathogenic microorganism as microbial insecticide against insect pest on chili (Capsicum annum L.)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to apply microbial suspension of which formulated as bio-insecticide to observe its effectiveness in controlling insect pest on chili plants, Capsicum annum L. The efficacy of bio-insecticide was evaluated based on potential entomopathogenic microorganisms used in the microbial suspension. The bio-insecticide consisted of entomopathogenic fungal and bacterial suspensions. The experiment was carried out in chili cultivation area in Situ Gede, Bogor. The application used spray method with multiple various doses. The observation showed that the plant treated with spore suspensions of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium sp. T4B23, B2-2, and cell suspensions of entomopathogenic bacteria Bt + SP4, were able to resist against insect pests, such as whitefly, grasshopper, and armyworm. In addition, the treated plant had more vigorous growth and yield than the control treatment.