Inhibitory Activity of Piper Caninum Leaf Extract against Curvularia Spotting Disease on Rice Plants

Rice is a plant that has been intensively breed, especially in Asia, most of the population’s staple food is rice. There were Many types of rice varieties have been developed for high yeald production. Different rice diseases arise that many treat to reduce production. Such as curvularia spotting disease caused by the fungus Curvularia sp. Infection of Curvularia species causing leaf spots, leaf blights, kernel root, grain deformation and other diseases are well known globally. It was discovered that the small brown oval spots on the Ciherang rice variety cultivated in Bali, Indonesia was caused by Curvularia verruculosa. This disease could reduce the rice yield up to almost 50%. The application of commercial fungicide by the local farmers has not been satisfactorily successful in term of controlling the disease but instead bring damages to the environment and the soil as well. Farmer’s safety is also another serious issue. The current studi develop a natural and green fungicide to check the efficacy of Piper caninum extract against the fungi. Research in the laboratory uses a completely randomized design and research in the field uses a randomized group design.The method of making leaf extracts uses maceration method. Diffusion well technique showed a strong inhibition of the abstract against the C. verruculosa with 22mm inhibition. Zone with a total inhibition of 4% extract concentration. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was low of 0.5%. Scanning electron images of the treated fungi showed hollow and wrinkled mycelia morphology indicating lysis of the cell has occurred. P. caninum leaf extract at a concentration of 3% provides the highest obstacle to the intensity of C. verruculosa disease, whereas in the treatment of leaf extract concentration p. caninum 4% intensity of C. verrucuosa disease has decreased because rice plants are toxic at a concentration of 4%. Further research is needed regarding the treatment of P. caninum leaf extract against C. verruculosa in rice fields.