Entomopathogenic Fungal consortium of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae as Biodegradation from Residue Insecticide Profenofos by In Vitro Studies

Entomopathogenic fungi are microorganisms that can control pests, especially Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Secondary metabolite compounds released by entomopathogenic fungi have biodegradation properties. The study aimed to assess the ability of a single or consortium of entomopathogenic fungi B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, in vitro. Biodegradation testing used 1 kg of suppressive soil in each box with 30 x 30 cm size. The soil was applied with a synthetic pesticide with the active ingredient Profenofos 500 g L-1. The entomopathogenic fungal isolates used were collections from the Food and Horticultural Plant Pest Disease Observation Laboratory with isolate codes B. bassiana (B-Tg1) and M. anisopliae (M-Tg1). Bioassay testing using a petri dish, in the 48-hour phase, the highest mortality rate of Spodoptera litura in treatment A3 (M. anisopliae) was 70% with a concentration of 4.8 x 1010 spores mL-1. The best treatment in the biodegradation test (A3) can reduce the initial residue concentration (R0) from 2.78 mg kg-1 to 0.39 mg kg-1 using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Treatments A2 and A4 in the treatment of B. bassiana and the consortium of the two fungi have the potential to reduce pesticide concentrations. This study concludes that entomopathogenic fungi can degrade insecticide residues. This fungal ability needs to be developed for the implementation of sustainable agriculture.