Articles
| Open Access | EVALUATION OF NATIVE ADVANTAGEOUS MICROORGANISMS FOR NATURAL CONTROL OF DARK LEAF SPOT SICKNESS IN COCONUT TREES
Faired Hassan , Soil, Water and Fertilizer Research Centre, MARDI Cameron highlands, Cameron Highland, Pahang, MalaysiaAbstract
Grey leaf spot disease, caused by Pestalotiopsis spp., poses a significant threat to coconut trees, impacting both yield and quality. This study evaluates the potential of indigenous beneficial microorganisms (IBMs) as biological control agents against grey leaf spot disease. Various IBMs were isolated from the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of healthy coconut trees and screened for their antagonistic activity against Pestalotiopsis spp. in vitro. Promising candidates were further assessed in greenhouse and field trials to determine their efficacy in reducing disease severity and enhancing plant health. The results demonstrated that specific IBMs significantly inhibited the growth of Pestalotiopsis spp., reduced lesion formation, and promoted overall plant vigor. These findings suggest that indigenous beneficial microorganisms hold great potential as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for managing grey leaf spot disease in coconut trees.
Keywords
Indigenous beneficial microorganisms, Biological control, Grey leaf spot disease
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