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Abstract
White root rot disease caused by Rigidoporus microporus is one of the most destructive root diseases in rubber plantations, leading to significant yield losses each year. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the biological control agent Trichoderma spp. in suppressing the development of white root fungus on rubber seedlings. Laboratory assays using the dual culture method and greenhouse trials with preventive and curative applications were conducted, involving treatments with Trichoderma-based biofungicide, chemical fungicide, and control. Laboratory results showed that Trichoderma spp. inhibited the growth of R. microporus by more than 44% on the fifth day after inoculation. In greenhouse experiments, preventive application of Trichoderma spp. was more effective than curative application, as indicated by improvements in stem diameter, plant height, and the number of leaves. Besides antagonistic activity, Trichoderma spp. contributed to improved soil fertility and plant growth. The lowest disease intensity (25.2%) was observed in the preventive treatment with Trichoderma, while in curative treatments, its effectiveness was comparable to that of chemical fungicides. The findings confirm that Trichoderma-based biofungicides are effective in controlling white root rot disease while simultaneously enhancing plant growth, making them a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Tri Rapani Febbiyanti, Risal Ardika, Anita Setyawati
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
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- Amaria, W., Sinaga, M. S., & Mutaqin, K. H. (2024). Bacterial biocontrol potential against Rigidoporus microporus: Hydrolytic Enzyme activity and antibiotic inhibition. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 23(4), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2023.12.006
- Andrew, B., Ahmad, K., Ismail, S. I., Ahmad, M. F., Ahmed, O. H., & Yun, W. M. (2021). Disease prevalence and molecular characterisation of Rigidoporus microporus associated with white root rot disease of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) in Malaysia. Journal of Rubber Research, 24(1), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-021-00083-x
- Comite, E., El-Nakhel, C., Rouphael, Y., Ventorino, V., Pepe, O., Borzacchiello, A., Vinale, F., Rigano, D., Staropoli, A., Lorito, M., & Woo, S. L. (2021). Bioformulations with beneficial microbial consortia, a bioactive compound and plant biopolymers modulate sweet basil productivity, photosynthetic activity and metabolites. Pathogens, 10(7), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070870
- Dalimunthe, C. I., Dahlan, A., & Tistama, R. (2019). The Potential of bacteria Serratia sp. as a biological control of white root rot disease (Rigidoporus microporus). Journal Agro Estate. https://doi.org/10.47199/jae.v3i1.60
- Dalimunthe, C. I., Surono, Soekarno, B. P. W., Al-Ani, L. K. T., Munif, A., Sriherwanto, C., & Nurdebyandaru, N. (2023). First report of inhibitory abilities of dark septate endophytic fungi against white root rot disease on Hevea brasiliensis seedlings in nursery conditions. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-023-00725-9
- Enshasy, H. A., Ambehabati, K. K., El Baz, A. F., Ramchuran, S., Sayyed, R. Z., Amalin, D., Dailin, D. J., & Hanapi, S. Z. (2020). Trichoderma: biocontrol agents for promoting plant growth and soil health. In Agriculturally important Fungi for sustainable agriculture: Volume 2: Functional annotation for crop protection (pp. 239–259). Springer.
- Essiedu, J. A., Adepoju, F. O., & Ivantsova, M. N. (2020). Benefits and limitations in using biopesticides: A Review. AIP Conference Proceeding. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0032223
- Firmansyah, M. A., Syifaudin, I. S., & Adisty, C. F. (2024). Identification and effectiveness of biological agents against pathogens causes of white root fungus disease Rigidoporus sp. in Vitro. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1315(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1088/17551315/1315/1/012031
- Ghorbanpour, M., Omidvari, M., Abbaszadeh-Dahaji, P., Omidvar, R., & Kariman, K. (2018). Mechanisms underlying the protective effects of beneficial fungi against plant diseases. Biological Control, 117, 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.11.006
- Go, W. Z., Chin, K. L., H’ng, P. S., Wong, M. Y., Lee, C. L., & Khoo, P. S. (2023). Exploring the biocontrol efficacy of Trichoderma spp. Against Rigidoporus microporus, the causal agent of white root rot disease in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). Plants, 12(5), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051066
- Go, W. Z., Chin, K. L., H’ng, P. S., Wong, M. Y., Luqman, C. A., Surendran, A., Tan, G. H., Lee, C. L., Khoo, P. S., & Kong, W. J. (2021). Virulence of Rigidoporus microporus isolates causing white root rot disease on rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in Malaysia. Plants, 10(10), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102123
- Guzmán, P., Kumar, A., de los Santos-Villalobos, S., Parra-Cota, F. I., Orozco-Mosqueda, M. del C., Fadiji, A. E., Hyder, S., Babalola, O. O., & Santoyo, G. (2023). Trichoderma species: our best fungal allies in the biocontrol of plant diseases—A Review. Plants, 12(3), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030432
- Khan, R. A. A., Najeeb, S., Chen, J., Wang, R., Zhang, J., Hou, J., & Liu, T. (2023). Insights into the molecular mechanism of trichoderma stimulating plant growth and immunity Against Phytopathogens. Physiologia Plantarum, 175(6) 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.14133
- Kusdiana, A. P. J., Munir, M., & Suryaningtyas, H. (2015). Control of white root disease on hevea rubber plants by using antagonistic microorganisms based Biofungicidet. Jurnal Penelitian Karet, 33(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.22302/ppk.jpk.v33i2.179
- Maiden, N. A., Syd Ali, N., Ahmad, K., Atan, S., & Wong, M. Y. (2022). Growth and physiological responses of Hevea brasiliensis to Rigidoporus microporus Infection. Journal of Rubber Research, 25(3), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00156-5
- Manzar, N., Kashyap, A. S., Goutam, R. S., Rajawat, M. V. S., Sharma, P. K., Sharma, S. K., & Singh, H. V. (2022). Trichoderma: advent of versatile biocontrol agent, its secrets and insights into mechanism of biocontrol potential. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(19), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912786
- Mohammed, C. L., Rimbawanto, A., & Page, D. E. (2014). Management of basidiomycete root- and stem-rot diseases in oil palm, rubber and tropical hardwood plantation crops. Forest Pathology, 44(6), 428–446. https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12140
- Olaniyi, O. N., & Szulczyk, K. R. (2022). Estimating the economic impact of the white root rot disease on the Malaysian rubber plantations. Forest Policy and Economics, 138(1), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2022.102707
- Otten, F., Hein, J., Bondy, H., & Faust, H. (2020). Deconstructing sustainable rubber production: contesting narratives in Rural Sumatra. Journal of Land Use Science, 15(2–3), 306–326.
- Pandey, R. N., Jaisani, P., & Yadav, D. L. (2021). Trichoderma spp. in the management of stresses in plants and rural prosperity. Indian Phytopathology, 74(2), 453–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-021-00373-9
- Rahayu, M. S., Lubis, L., & Oemry, S. (2017). Mapping the distribution early attacks of white root fungus disease (Rigidoporus microporus (Swartz: Fr)) at Several Smallholder’s Rubber Plantation in Asahan. Jurnal Agroekoteknologi FP USU, 5(1), 167–186. https://doi.org/10.32734/jaet.v5i1.14190
- Saidi, N. B., Al‐Obaidi, J. R., & Fisol, A. F. B. C. (2023). Rigidoporus microporus and the white root rot disease of rubber. Forest Pathology, 53(1), 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12794
- Shabrin, J. S., Uttam, K. K., & Md Mahedi. (2025). Fungal Biocontrol in Agriculture: A Sustainable Alternative to Chemical Pesticides – A Comprehensive Review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 26(1), 2305–2316. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.26.1.0732
- Situmorang, A., Suryaningtyas, H., & Pawirosoemardjo, S. (2007). Current Status of White Root Disease (Rigidoporus microporus) and the disease control management in rubber plantation of Indonesia. Proceedings. International Workshop on White Root Disease of Hevea Rubber. Salatiga, 28th Th–29 November. International Rubber Research Development Board, 27–33.
- Swain, H., & Mukherjee, A. K. (2020). Host–Pathogen–Trichoderma Interaction. In Trichoderma: Host Pathogen Interactions and Applications (pp. 149–165). Springer.
- Tyśkiewicz, R., Nowak, A., Ozimek, E., & Jaroszuk-ściseł, J. (2022). Trichoderma: The current status of its application in agriculture for the biocontrol of fungal phytopathogens and stimulation of plant growth. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(4), 1-28.
- Vinale, F., & Sivasithamparam, K. (2020). Beneficial Effects of Trichoderma Secondary Metabolites on Crops. Phytotherapy Research, 34(11), 2835–2842. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6728
- Wattanasilakorn, S., Sdoodee, S., Nualsri, C., Chuenchit, S., Meesawat, U., & Sopharat, J. (2017). Assessment of rubber clonal rootstocks for the tolerance of white root disease (Rigidoporus microporus) in Southern Thailand. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology (WJST), 14(7), 549–561.
References
Ainusyifa, F., Lestari, R., & Yuniati, R. (2024). A Review of Fungal Disease in Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Mull. Arg.: from identification to scientific investigation for control strategies. Journal of Research in Science Education, 10(12), 977–987. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i12.9388
Amaria, W., Sinaga, M. S., & Mutaqin, K. H. (2024). Bacterial biocontrol potential against Rigidoporus microporus: Hydrolytic Enzyme activity and antibiotic inhibition. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 23(4), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2023.12.006
Andrew, B., Ahmad, K., Ismail, S. I., Ahmad, M. F., Ahmed, O. H., & Yun, W. M. (2021). Disease prevalence and molecular characterisation of Rigidoporus microporus associated with white root rot disease of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) in Malaysia. Journal of Rubber Research, 24(1), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-021-00083-x
Comite, E., El-Nakhel, C., Rouphael, Y., Ventorino, V., Pepe, O., Borzacchiello, A., Vinale, F., Rigano, D., Staropoli, A., Lorito, M., & Woo, S. L. (2021). Bioformulations with beneficial microbial consortia, a bioactive compound and plant biopolymers modulate sweet basil productivity, photosynthetic activity and metabolites. Pathogens, 10(7), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070870
Dalimunthe, C. I., Dahlan, A., & Tistama, R. (2019). The Potential of bacteria Serratia sp. as a biological control of white root rot disease (Rigidoporus microporus). Journal Agro Estate. https://doi.org/10.47199/jae.v3i1.60
Dalimunthe, C. I., Surono, Soekarno, B. P. W., Al-Ani, L. K. T., Munif, A., Sriherwanto, C., & Nurdebyandaru, N. (2023). First report of inhibitory abilities of dark septate endophytic fungi against white root rot disease on Hevea brasiliensis seedlings in nursery conditions. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-023-00725-9
Enshasy, H. A., Ambehabati, K. K., El Baz, A. F., Ramchuran, S., Sayyed, R. Z., Amalin, D., Dailin, D. J., & Hanapi, S. Z. (2020). Trichoderma: biocontrol agents for promoting plant growth and soil health. In Agriculturally important Fungi for sustainable agriculture: Volume 2: Functional annotation for crop protection (pp. 239–259). Springer.
Essiedu, J. A., Adepoju, F. O., & Ivantsova, M. N. (2020). Benefits and limitations in using biopesticides: A Review. AIP Conference Proceeding. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0032223
Firmansyah, M. A., Syifaudin, I. S., & Adisty, C. F. (2024). Identification and effectiveness of biological agents against pathogens causes of white root fungus disease Rigidoporus sp. in Vitro. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1315(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1088/17551315/1315/1/012031
Ghorbanpour, M., Omidvari, M., Abbaszadeh-Dahaji, P., Omidvar, R., & Kariman, K. (2018). Mechanisms underlying the protective effects of beneficial fungi against plant diseases. Biological Control, 117, 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.11.006
Go, W. Z., Chin, K. L., H’ng, P. S., Wong, M. Y., Lee, C. L., & Khoo, P. S. (2023). Exploring the biocontrol efficacy of Trichoderma spp. Against Rigidoporus microporus, the causal agent of white root rot disease in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). Plants, 12(5), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051066
Go, W. Z., Chin, K. L., H’ng, P. S., Wong, M. Y., Luqman, C. A., Surendran, A., Tan, G. H., Lee, C. L., Khoo, P. S., & Kong, W. J. (2021). Virulence of Rigidoporus microporus isolates causing white root rot disease on rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in Malaysia. Plants, 10(10), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102123
Guzmán, P., Kumar, A., de los Santos-Villalobos, S., Parra-Cota, F. I., Orozco-Mosqueda, M. del C., Fadiji, A. E., Hyder, S., Babalola, O. O., & Santoyo, G. (2023). Trichoderma species: our best fungal allies in the biocontrol of plant diseases—A Review. Plants, 12(3), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030432
Khan, R. A. A., Najeeb, S., Chen, J., Wang, R., Zhang, J., Hou, J., & Liu, T. (2023). Insights into the molecular mechanism of trichoderma stimulating plant growth and immunity Against Phytopathogens. Physiologia Plantarum, 175(6) 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.14133
Kusdiana, A. P. J., Munir, M., & Suryaningtyas, H. (2015). Control of white root disease on hevea rubber plants by using antagonistic microorganisms based Biofungicidet. Jurnal Penelitian Karet, 33(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.22302/ppk.jpk.v33i2.179
Maiden, N. A., Syd Ali, N., Ahmad, K., Atan, S., & Wong, M. Y. (2022). Growth and physiological responses of Hevea brasiliensis to Rigidoporus microporus Infection. Journal of Rubber Research, 25(3), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00156-5
Manzar, N., Kashyap, A. S., Goutam, R. S., Rajawat, M. V. S., Sharma, P. K., Sharma, S. K., & Singh, H. V. (2022). Trichoderma: advent of versatile biocontrol agent, its secrets and insights into mechanism of biocontrol potential. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(19), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912786
Mohammed, C. L., Rimbawanto, A., & Page, D. E. (2014). Management of basidiomycete root- and stem-rot diseases in oil palm, rubber and tropical hardwood plantation crops. Forest Pathology, 44(6), 428–446. https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12140
Olaniyi, O. N., & Szulczyk, K. R. (2022). Estimating the economic impact of the white root rot disease on the Malaysian rubber plantations. Forest Policy and Economics, 138(1), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2022.102707
Otten, F., Hein, J., Bondy, H., & Faust, H. (2020). Deconstructing sustainable rubber production: contesting narratives in Rural Sumatra. Journal of Land Use Science, 15(2–3), 306–326.
Pandey, R. N., Jaisani, P., & Yadav, D. L. (2021). Trichoderma spp. in the management of stresses in plants and rural prosperity. Indian Phytopathology, 74(2), 453–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-021-00373-9
Rahayu, M. S., Lubis, L., & Oemry, S. (2017). Mapping the distribution early attacks of white root fungus disease (Rigidoporus microporus (Swartz: Fr)) at Several Smallholder’s Rubber Plantation in Asahan. Jurnal Agroekoteknologi FP USU, 5(1), 167–186. https://doi.org/10.32734/jaet.v5i1.14190
Saidi, N. B., Al‐Obaidi, J. R., & Fisol, A. F. B. C. (2023). Rigidoporus microporus and the white root rot disease of rubber. Forest Pathology, 53(1), 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12794
Shabrin, J. S., Uttam, K. K., & Md Mahedi. (2025). Fungal Biocontrol in Agriculture: A Sustainable Alternative to Chemical Pesticides – A Comprehensive Review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 26(1), 2305–2316. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.26.1.0732
Situmorang, A., Suryaningtyas, H., & Pawirosoemardjo, S. (2007). Current Status of White Root Disease (Rigidoporus microporus) and the disease control management in rubber plantation of Indonesia. Proceedings. International Workshop on White Root Disease of Hevea Rubber. Salatiga, 28th Th–29 November. International Rubber Research Development Board, 27–33.
Swain, H., & Mukherjee, A. K. (2020). Host–Pathogen–Trichoderma Interaction. In Trichoderma: Host Pathogen Interactions and Applications (pp. 149–165). Springer.
Tyśkiewicz, R., Nowak, A., Ozimek, E., & Jaroszuk-ściseł, J. (2022). Trichoderma: The current status of its application in agriculture for the biocontrol of fungal phytopathogens and stimulation of plant growth. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(4), 1-28.
Vinale, F., & Sivasithamparam, K. (2020). Beneficial Effects of Trichoderma Secondary Metabolites on Crops. Phytotherapy Research, 34(11), 2835–2842. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6728
Wattanasilakorn, S., Sdoodee, S., Nualsri, C., Chuenchit, S., Meesawat, U., & Sopharat, J. (2017). Assessment of rubber clonal rootstocks for the tolerance of white root disease (Rigidoporus microporus) in Southern Thailand. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology (WJST), 14(7), 549–561.