Abstract

PROTEOLYTIC FUNGI AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS OF POTATO CYST NEMATODE (Globodera rostochiensis): ISOLATION, SELECTION, OPTIMIZATION PROTEASE PRODUCTION, AND IDENTIFICATION

Potato cyst nematode (PCN), Globodera rostochiensis, is an important pest of potato plants and it was estimated to cause 70% of economic lost. Chemical control is a widely used method for PCN but raised negative impact to agricultural, water, and soil environments. Biological control is one of alternative measures to minimize of this negative impact. Protease have been proposed as one of determining factor in microbial pathogenicity against nematodes. Several genera of bacteria and fungi had proteolytic activity and they might be play an important role as potential biocontrol agent against Globodera rostochiensis. The purpose of this research was to find out the fungi producing high amount of protease. The research was divided into several steps: 1) isolation of proteolytic fungi; 2) selection of isolates; 3) optimization protease production of selected isolate; and 4) identification of selected isolate. Forty two isolates showing proteolytic activity were isolated. Screening based on the qualitative (hydrolysis activity) and quantitative (protease specific activity and PCN egg damage) methods. Results showed that SRN 1.2 was selected isolate with hydrolysis activity 5,00; protease specific activity 260,13 unit/mg; and PCN egg damage 54%. Growth conditions affecting the production of proteases by isolate SRN 1.2 was optimized, including inoculum, medium pH, and substrate concentration. Optimum protease activity was obtained with inoculum at 10 7spores/ml, medium pH at 5, and substrate concentration at 0,5% skim milk. Identification based on morphological characteristic. Isolate SRN 1.2 was identified as Penicillium sp. Key words: Globodera rostochiensis, proteolytic fungi, biological control