RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 36 (2) June 2024, p. 201-209

EFFECTS OF CULTURE MEDIUM AND LIGHT DURATIONS ON THE FUNGAL GROWTH OF Bipolaris sorokiniana

MAIZAN ISMAIL1*; ABDUL SHUKOR JURAIMI2; ABU SEMAN IDRIS1; MOHD HEFNI RUSLI1; RAJA ZULKIFLI RAJA OMAR1; KAMIL A. TOHIRAN1 and MOHD NAQIUDDIN HUSRI1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2023.0010
Received: 10 May 2022   Accepted: 6 January 2023   Published Online: 9 March 2023
ABSTRACT

Bipolaris sorokiniana has been identified as a potential indigenous fungal plant pathogen to control goosegrass (Eleusine indica) in oil palm plantations. However, for mass production, a suitable medium and an optimum growing environment need to be identified. This study was conducted to determine the suitable culture media and light duration requirements for optimal growth of B. sorokiniana. Four types of culture media: Potato dextrose agar (PDA), corn meal agar (CMA), V8 agar (V8A) and water agar (WA), were evaluated for the B. sorokiniana subculture. Three light durations (0, 12 and 24 hr) were tested for B. sorokiniana growth. The growth diameter and colony-forming units of B. sorokiniana were recorded. When compared to CMA, V8A, and WA media in the same light durations, B. sorokiniana grew at maximum mean growth diameter at 12 hr light duration in PDA (4.56 cm), 24 hr light duration in PDA (4.36 cm) and 0 hr light duration in PDA (4.21 cm). Bipolaris sorokiniana produced more CFU during the 0 light duration than during the 12 hr and 24 hr light durations. Hence, this study shows that B. sorokiniana has the potential for reproduction using PDA culture media without light.

KEYWORDS:


1 Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
6 Persiaran Institusi,
Bandar Baru Bangi,
43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.

2 Faculty of Agriculture,
Universiti Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

* Corresponding author e-mail: maizan@mpob.gov.my