Identifying and Exploring Management Solution for Rust Fungi of Common Fig in Malaysia

Ng, Shu Yee (2026) Identifying and Exploring Management Solution for Rust Fungi of Common Fig in Malaysia. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Fungal diseases on Ficus carica can cause fig rust, which is a significant issue in humid tropical places like Malaysia, leading to reduced plant health, defoliation and decreased yield. Sustainable alternatives, such as biological control using actinomycetes, is required since the use of chemical fungicides for disease management raises concerns regarding pathogen resistance and environmental safety. The purpose of this study was to confirm the identity of rust fungus, and explore the antagonistic potentials of actinomycetes against the rust fungus via in-vitro and nursery trials. Infected fig leaves were collected from the field and checked for rust spores. DNA extraction was carried out using the collected spores in order to validate infection at the molecular level and confirm fungal identity. Detached leaf experiments were carried out using healthy leaves collected from fig plants, which are inoculated with rust spores suspension followed by treatment with actinomycetes broth (3-day old culture) with sterile distilled water as controls. In order to assess the effectiveness of some actinomycetes isolates in more natural settings, a nursery trials on fig seedlings were conducted. Detached leaf experiments have yielded inconclusive results due to absence of typical rust disease symptoms. Necrotic spores formed instead probably due to phytotoxicity effects from bacterial suspension. Similarly, minimal suppression of rust disease symptoms on leaves was shown likely due to dry weather conditions during nursery trials. In conclusion, the assessment of the effectiveness of actinomycetes as a biocontrol agent was limited by inconsistent natural infection. To enhance the research in evaluating actinomycetes as potential biocontrol agents against fig rust, future research should be conducted in controlled environments optimized for rust disease formation (high relative humidity and warm conditions). This could ensure sufficient spores for the trials and test the full potential of the biocontrol agent.