The Application of Trichoderma Asperellum on Various Media Types Increases Peanut Stem Rot's Resistance (Sclerotium Rolfsii Sacc.)

Abstract

The peanut plant is a valuable commodity in West Aceh, with peatlands showing great potential for cultivation. However, peanut farming on peatlands faces challenges, particularly stem rot disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Controlling this disease with synthetic fungicides raises environmental and sustainability concerns. Biological control offers an eco-friendly alternative by reducing fungicide use and providing lasting protection when environmental conditions favor the biological agents. This study employed a Factorial Completely Randomized Design with two factors: the type of Trichoderma asperellum media substrate (six levels: rice, bran, corn, rice + bran, rice + corn, and rice + bran + corn) and the dose of substrate (four levels: 25, 50, 75, and 100 grams per plant). Each treatment had three replications with three plants each. Results showed rice-based media and rice mixtures promoted the best growth of T. asperellum colonies. Substrate type did not affect the pathogenicity of S. rolfsii on peanut seeds in PDA agar media. Higher doses of T. asperellum (75 and 100 grams) across substrates significantly increased peanut resistance to S. rolfsii during germination. These findings endorse biological control using optimized substrate types and doses for sustainable stem rot management.