merged

In Vitro Inhibition of Rice Pathogen Rhizoctonia Solani by Orchid
Mycorrhiza Fungi Isolated From Orchids in Bris, Setiu Wetlands
Siti Noradila binti Abdul Ghani
Supervisor: Dr. Nurul Aliaa binti Idris
Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
School of Fundamental Science
Rice production is threatened by Rice Sheath Blight (RSB) disease which is caused by
a soil-borne fungal pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani. This study are aim to isolate and
identify the orchid mycorrhiza fungi present in roots of terrestrial orchids in BRIS, Setiu
Wetlands as well as to determine its antagonistic activity towards pathogenic R.
solani. Three fungal species were successfully isolated with two fungi suspected as
Rhizoctonia sp. While the third was suspected to be Daldinia sp. based on the
microscopic and macroscopic observation. Inhibition test using dual culture assay were
done to the isolates against R. solani. Isolate B displayed the strongest anti-fungal
activity with 60.46% of Percentage Inhibition of Radial Growth (PIRG) value followed
by Isolate A, 51.02% and Isolate C, 39.80%. The high PIRG from Isolate B offers high
prospect of integrated management of RSB disease as it has the potential to be
developed as a biocontrol agent.
Keywords: Biocontrol agent, Orchid mycorrhiza fungi, PIRG, Rhizoctonia solani,
Terrestrial orchid
367 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2018