Abstract :
ABSTRACT
Muhammad Hifniy Aziziy. A.1511055. A Study on the Effects of Anthracnose
Blight after the Application of Neem Leaf Solution and Local Microorganism of
Banana Corm on the Growth of Red Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) Plants. Under
immediate supervision of Oktavianus LT and Yanyan Mulyaningsih.
Anthracnose is one of the main diseases commonly attack and hamper the
productivity of red chili (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. The use of plant fungicide
and microorganism can reduce the percentage of anthracnose blight in red chili
plants without causing any negative impact of the environment. This study was
aimed at assessing the potential of neem leaf solution and local microorganism of
banana corm for anthracnose control and growth improvement in red chili plants.
A factorial randomized block design with two factors was used. The first factor
was neem leaf solution concentration (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%) and the second
factor was local microorganism of banana corm concentration (0%, 15%, 30%,
and 45%). Results showed that neem leaf solution concentration did not give
significant effects on all parameters measured. Compared to control, local
microorganism of banana corm concentration of 45% significantly gave higher
plant height, number of leaves, number of productive branches, and weight of
fruits per plant but these parameters were not different from those found in plants
treated with 30% local microorganism of banana corm. Disease prevalence and
morbidity rate were 0% as there was no anthracnose attack observed on plants in
all treatment groups. This might be caused by the environmental factors including
extremely high maximum temperature, extremely low minimum temperature,
humidity level of less than 80%, and low rainfall during fruit formation period
which were unfavorable for the development of Colletotrichum sp fungus. In
addition, the level of virulence of the pathogen is thought to have decreased
because in previous reserach of the red chilli plants in the same place also had
been treated with plant fungicides from the neem leaf solution.
Key words: Capsicum annuum, Colletotrichum, neem, banana corm