The Effect of Indigenous Rhizospheric Fungi on Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Seedling Growth

Abstract

Lettuce is a vegetable plant that is beneficial for health and supports the fulfillment of the government's Free Nutritional Meal (MBG) program. This study aims to determine the effect of rhizosphere fungi on the growth of Archievel lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa). Various fungal strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of lettuce plants and identified for their morphological characteristics, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) content, phosphate solubilization test, and potential as nitrogen fixing. Lettuce seed treatment used eight rhizosphere fungi, 5 replications, each consisting of 2 units with a spore density of 106 colonies/mL. Observation parameters included plant height, number of leaves, and lettuce seed germination. The results showed that eight rhizosphere fungi contained IAA and phosphate solubilization, and two isolates acted as N fixing. Isolate T 10.3.2 was the best isolate in increasing lettuce seed growth with an IAA content of 10.62 ppm and a phosphate solubilization index of 1.96, a plant height of 11.53 cm, and a germination rate of 94.2%.