Effect of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, on Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) populations in different onion cultivars
Open Access
- 29 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control
- Vol. 31 (1), 1-8
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-021-00445-y
Abstract
Background: Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is the key pest of onions that causes economic yield losses in commercial onion production in Pakistan. In this study, potential of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, as a bio agent was evaluated to manage buildup of thrips population on onion crop. Results: Efficacy tests for EPF were conducted against T. tabaci infesting 3 different onion varieties (Phulkara, Swat 1, and Virio 7). Commercial formulations of B. bassiana strain GHA and M. anisopilae strain ESC-1, were evaluated at 4 different concentrations (108, 109, 1010, and 1011 conidia/ml) under field conditions for 2 years. The efficacy was assessed 3, 5, 7, and 10 days after spray application of the whole onion plant. Efficacy expressed as T. tabaci (nymphs and adults) percent population reduction in comparison to controls. Maximum corrected percent population reduction was observed in onion plants treated with B. bassiana 1011 conidia/ml, i.e., 86.62, 84.59, and 86% in Phulkara, Swat 1, and Virio 7 onion varieties respectively, after 10 days of spray application. While onion plants treated with M. anisopliae 108 conidia/ml showed minimum corrected percent population reduction, i.e., 69.42, 68.45, and 69.11% in Phulkara, Swat 1, and Virio 7 onion varieties respectively, after 10 days of spray. Conclusions: Beauveria bassiana could significantly reduce thrips population and could provide a better long-term management of T. tabaci on onion. B. bassiana had a high toxic effect against offspring production of the T. tabaci under field conditions than M. anisopliae.Keywords
Funding Information
- Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (PIN No. 518-76242-2AV5-106)
This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit:
- Screen bag formulation of Beauveria and Metarhizium granules to manage Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae)Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 2016
- COMPARATIVE FIELD EFFICACY OF VARIOUS ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI AGAINST THRIPS TABACI: PROSPECTS FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION OF ONION IN INDIAActa Horticulturae, 2012
- Onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): a global pest of increasing concern in onion.Journal of Economic Entomology, 2011
- First Report of Iris yellow spot virus on Garlic in IndiaPlant Disease, 2010
- Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against soil‐dwelling life stages of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in plant‐growing mediaEntomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 2008
- Mycoinsecticides and Mycoacaricides: A comprehensive list with worldwide coverage and international classification of formulation typesBiological Control, 2007
- Distribution and Incidence of Iris yellow spot virus in Colorado and Its Relation to Onion Plant Population and YieldPlant Disease, 2004
- FIELD AND LABORATORY EVALUATION OF TWO CONIDIAL BATCHES OF BEAUVERIA BASSIANA (BALSAMO) VUILLEMIN AGAINST GRASSHOPPERSThe Canadian Entomologist, 1997
- Bionomics of ThripsAnnual Review of Entomology, 1993
- Tests with Acaricides against the Brown Wheat Mite12Journal of Economic Entomology, 1955