Development of Spodoptera frugiperda fed on young maize plant’s fresh leaves inoculated with endophytic fungi from South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

The endophytic entomopathogenic fungi are needed to control the Spodoptera frugiperda larvae hiding inside the maize plants. This research aimed to assess the effect of young maize inoculated with endophytic fungi on the development of S. frugiperda. The fungal isolates used for the bioassay were Beauveria bassiana JgSPK isolate (GenBank acc. no. MZ356494), B. bassiana JgCrJr isolate (GenBank acc. no. MZ356497), and Metarhizium anisopliae CaTpPga isolates (GenBank acc. no. MZ242073). Beauveria bassiana (JgSPK and JgCrJr isolates) and M. anisopliae (CaTpPga isolate) colonized young maize plant significantly reduced the pupae and adult emergence, adult longevity, eggs laid, and viable eggs of S. frugiperda. The fungi also significantly enhanced larval mortality compared to non-colonized ones. The larval mortality caused by M. anisopliae CaTpPga isolate (57.67%) was highest among other treatments but not significantly different from those treated with B. bassiana JgSPK isolate (51.33%). Furthermore, the developmental time (eggs, larvae, pupae stages, and lifespan) of S. frugiperda fed on leaves colonized with endophytic fungi significantly increased compared to non-colonized ones. So, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae inoculated as seed treatments caused negative effects on the development of S. frugiperda. These findings highlight the potential of endophytic B. bassiana and M. anisopliae from South Sumatra to protect maize against S. frugiperda.