Entomopathogenic Fungus from Rice Rhizosphere Soil in Politeknik Negeri Lampung Land

The killing of non-target insects such as predators, natural enemies, and pest resistance to pesticides are negative impacts of pesticide application. Entomopathogenic fungi may be environmentally friendly biological controllers. This study aimed to conduct entomopathogenic fungi from rice plants in the Politeknik Negeri Lampung field using the insect bait method. Sampling was done by taking the rhizosphere soil of rice plants using the diagonal sampling method. Isolation and characterization of the morphology macroscopic and microscopic of entomopathogenic fungi were carried out at the Plant Laboratory of the Food Crops Production Study Program, Politeknik Negeri Lampung. The study started from June to November 2021. The stages of rearing T. molitor bait insects, fishing for entomopathogenic fungi, isolation and purification and propagation of entomopathogenic fungi, observing macroscopic and microscopic morphology. The research results from the exploration of entomopathogenic fungi in the rhizosphere of rice plants obtained that the fungus that infects the insect bait T. molitor with white, green, black hyphae and then microscopically observed the shape of the conidia and hyphae. Macroscopic and microscopic results showed that the entomopathogens obtained from insect bait using T. molitor larvae from the rhizosphere soil of rice plants were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Fusarium sp. Aspergillus spp. macroscopic, the mycelium of the fungus was green-white and black-white colours as for the mycelium Fusarium sp. white colour. The history of land use against insecticide applications can affect entomopathogens in rhizosphere soils.