Potential of endophytic bacteria from corn as biopesticide: A biological control of insect pests

Abstract

Biocontrol agents can be derived from endophytes or healthy plant tissues. The entomopathogenic bacterial group derived from corn plant tissue has the potential as a biopesticide. The study aimed to obtaine entomopathogenic bacterial isolates, which can kill test insects and be safe for other living organisms. Roots of healthy corn plants collected as a source of isolates. Bacterial isolates were tested for gram test, virulence on Mirabilis jalapa flower plants, and entomopathogenic test for Spodoptera litura. The results of the study found 29 isolates, which were entomopathogenic with mortality of 35.71-100%. Only two isolates showed adverse reactions based on the results of the hypersensitive and hemolysis test namely isolates P1.7 and P2.1. This indicates that there were two isolates from corn root tissue, which were entomopathogenic and safe for living organisms.