Research Article

Eco-Friendly Management of Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) in Cotton

Imran Nadeem1, Qurban Ali1, Muhammad Kamil Malik1*, Asad Aslam1, Imran Tariq2, Muhammad Bilal Bin Iqbal1, Muhammad Faheem Akhtar1, Sikander Ali3, Muhammad Jawad Saleem1, Muhammad Zubair3 and Aqsa Abbas1

1Entomological Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 2Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 3Oilseeds Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Received | January 31, 2023; Accepted | August 28, 2023; Published | June 27, 2023

*Correspondence | Muhammad Kamil Malik, Entomological Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan; Email: kamilmalik211@gmail.com

Citation | Nadeem, I., Q. Ali, M.K. Malik, A. Aslam, I. Tariq, M.B.B. Iqbal, M.F. Akhtar, S. Ali, M.J. Saleem, M. Zubair and A. Abbas. 2023. Eco-friendly management of pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) in cotton. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 36(2): 155-160.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjar/2023/36.2.155.160

Keywords | Entomopathogenic fungi, Pectinophora gossypiella, Pb ropes, IPM, Spinetoram

Copyright: 2023 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the majority of the population is attached to it through farming. In the region of South Asia, Pakistan is emerging as a developed state, comprising 207 million of the world’s population (Radio Free Europe, 2017). A distinctive role is played by agriculture in the economic system, which accounts 19.2% of GDP. Agriculture is indispensable in making sure food is secure, producing overall monetary growth, diminishing poverty and transforming in direction of mechanization (Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2011-12). Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important crop in agriculture as well as in the textile industry (Haider et al., 2023). It contributes around 0.6 percent to GDP and 3.1 percent to agricultural value addition (Economic survey of Pakistan, 2021-22). Cotton is one of the most important economic crops in Pakistan. It is extremely important to Pakistan’s economy (Amin et al., 2017).

Cotton is a significant commercial crop, playing a spectacular role in a country’s social, financial and political undertakings and it is gifted to human civilization from the Indian subcontinent (Atwal, 2002). It plays a supreme role in the economy of Pakistan. Gossypium hirsutum, main cash crop. is also popularly known as “Silver Fiber” (Gill and Dhawan, 2006). The Gossypium genus contains almost 50 species, of which 45 are diploids and the remaining 5 are tetraploids. Gossypium hirsutum, the tetraploid species, is among the most cultivated species (Waghmare et al., 2005). In Pakistan, the cultivation of cotton is mainly done in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. About 77% of the cotton production in Pakistan comes from Punjab and 23% comes from other provinces. The main Punjab districts that contribute to huge cotton production are Faisalabad, Jhang, Raheem Yar Khan, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Ranipur and Bahawalnagar. The Sindh regions for cotton cultivation are (Nawabshah, Ghotki, Khairpur, Ahmed, Kazi and Naushero-feroze. The desired conditions required for cotton are a hot and dry climate; therefore, cotton is cultivated best in the above-mentioned regions (Shuli et al., 2018).

Cotton shows a variety of insect pest spectrum and about 1326 species of insect pest have been reported worldwide (Parmar and Patel, 2016). Cotton is highly exposed to pest attacks, which may cause up to 87% yield losses (Talley et al., 2009). Due to the insect attack, its growth period is wrecked (Gangadhar et al., 2007). The average yield of cotton in Pakistan is lower as compared with other countries due to pest attacks. There are various reasons that cause the loss in yield from the beginning of its growth to maturity. Insect pest attacks cause the 5-10% losses. Due to lint quality and deterioration losses of cotton of 10-40%, that causes about 30-40% average yield loss (Khan et al., 2009).

Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) is considered one of the most harmful cotton pests because it is harder to control with insecticides (Lykouressis et al., 2004). The incidence of Pectinophora gossypiella has been reported in nearly every cotton-producingcountry in the world (Salama et al., 2013). Surveys in the United States and Mexico show that Pectinophora gossypiella has 46 plant species as its preferred hosts in these two countries. Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.), cotton and ornamentals plants are considered the most favorite hosts of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saleh et al., 2013).

Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossiypiella) causes the most severe damage to the cotton crop worldwide and was declared the most injurious pest of cotton crop (Rajput, 2017). The present study was planned to explore the maximum reduction potential of eco-friendly techniques against Pectinophora gossypiella.

Materials and Methods

The present research was conducted in the field area of the Entomological Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, during 2021. The study was planned to check the impact of Eco-friendly management techniques against Pink Bollworm (P. gossypiella) on cotton crop. The crop was sown in a plot size of 10 x 30 m2 on May 20, 2021, using a RCBD design with three replications. Pre-irrigated field for the experiment was prepared by ploughing. Common cultural practices were adopted.

Four different types of traps (viz. Pb ropes @120/acre, Light traps @ 01 traps/acre, delta traps @ 08 traps/acre and capsule lure traps @ 05 traps/acre) and one entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana @ 1×108 CFU/ml per acre) one novel insecticide (e.g., Radiant (Spintoram) 120 SC @ 100 ml/acre) with a check plot as a control was evaluated to manage the pink bollworm in an eco-friendly way. PB ropes were installed at a 10-meter distance, length and width wise The data regarding adult pest captured in traps was recorded after 10 days intervals. For entomopathogenic fungi and chemical treatments, data was recorded before application and 07 and 14 days of after treatment from 10 selected plants from each replication. The data regarding (%) infestation reduction of P. gossypiella recorded at 10 days intervals by the time of pest appearance up to crop maturity. Infestation of P. gossypiella started in the 3rd week of July and the first data was collected on 16th July, 2021 just after the pest incidence. Five plants were selected randomly from each replication of each replication and the (%) infestation of P. gossypiella on each plant was recorded.

Data regarding the (%) Infestation of P. gossypiella and (%) Infestation reduction of P. gossypiella was recorded at 10 intervals from the time of pest appearance up to crop maturity. The data collected was analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean values between the genotypes were compared by using Tukey HSD Test at P≤0.05.

Results and Discussion

The data was recorded at a 10-days interval. The results revealed significant differences among the treatments. The results showed that the effectiveness of the traps was excellent in the early days but declined as time went on (Table 1). Bhute et al. (2021) also described similar results, finding that adult catches increased gradually but declined in the last week of the growing season. The present study findings revealed that Pb rope traps was found highest control over pink boll worm population, followed by delta traps, while a minimum population reduction was observed in light traps as compared to the check plot. Here, after days of installation of traps, the maximum population percentage reduction was recorded (96.30%), followed by delta traps (85.03%). While a minimum population reduction was observed in the case of light traps (75.13%). As time of installed traps increased, the results showed that Pb ropes reduced the pest infestation by 63.96%, while minimum population reduction (42.23%) was found in the case of light traps as compared to the check plot after 120 days (Table 1). Shrinivas et al. (2019) also mentioned similar results and indicated that PBW population can significantly decrease as a result of sex pheromones such as SPLAT (Specialised Pheromone and Lure Application Technology), which was used to confuse the adults under field conditions, so it may be recommended as an alternative to hazardous insecticides, while delta trap was found to be less efficient than PBW sex pheromone. Harter et al. (2010) reported similar outcomes and stated that the use of sex pheromone traps like Pb rope traps, etc. resulted in reduced mating and eventually a decrease in insect population. The delta and light traps were also found to have a significant reduction in the PBW population, well but less significant than the Sex pheromone traps. These findings were in line with those of Attique et al. (2000), who assessed the effectiveness of five different trap design, viz., yellow funnel, delta red and white, universal, and yellow and white funnel traps, against the pink bollworm. He found that all traps significantly decreased the pest population, but the yellow funnel trap was determined to be the most effective of all the traps. These traps were also used to determine the pest population within a specific area to ensure that- IPM techniques should be applied or not. Spear-O’Mara and Allen’s (2007) finding were in line with present studies and described that in order to forecast future pest abundance and crop damage, the adult densities were determined by using different traps.

In the case of the entomopathogenic fungi and novel insecticide Radiant 120 SC the results revealed that the maximum population reduction was observed with Radiant as compared to Beauveria bassiana. The finding indicated that Radiant 120Sc showed maximum population reduction (69.71% and 79.16%) while minimum population reduction was present in Beauveria bassiana (44.15% and 57.02%) after 7 and 14 days of treatment, respectively. The percentage survival rate of biologically beneficial insects was also recorded. The results regarding beneficial insects showed that the maximum survival rate was found in Radiant 120 SC (57.11%) while the minimum was

 

Table 1: Mean Comparison of (%) infestation reduction of P. gossypiella treated with Pb ropes, delta traps, light traps and capsule lures after 10 days interval.

Treat-ments

After 10 days

After 20 days

After 30 days

After 40 days

After 50 days

After 60 days

After 70 days

After 80 days

After 90 days

After 100 days

After 110 days

After 120 days

Pb ropes

96.30a

96.10a

96.20a

96.33a

89.43a

87.06a

85.30 a

82.96a

77.53a

72.76a

71.73a

73.96a

Delta traps

85.03b

74.76b

72.73b

63.76b

59.00b

53.00b

56.20b

58.40b

52.30b

52.23b

52.66b

54.33b

Light traps

75.13c

61.00c

56.16c

43.60d

41.83c

38.10c

45.20 c

38.96c

36.40c

39.86c

37.60d

42.23c

Capsule lures

81.33bc

71.93b

68.50b

54.70c

47.96c

46.60b

52.06b

49.80b

42.83c

43.10c

43.70c

46.93bc

 

Table 2: Mean Comparison of (%) Infestation and (%) Infestation reduction of P. gossypiella against Beauveria bassiana and radiant after 7 and 14 days.

Treatments	Pre-treatment	% Infestation reduction		Bio-control/ plant	Survival %
		7-DAA	14-DAA	14-DAA	14-DAA
Beauveria bassiana	17.24	44.15 b	57.02 b	1.72	52.46 bcd
Radiant (Spintoram)	17.97	69.71 a	79.16 a	1.87	57.11 bcd
Check	17.63	0.00 c	0.00 c	3.27	100.0 a
Tukey HSD at 5%		6.751	5.196		4.092

 

observed in the case of entomopathogenic fungi (52.46%), which indicated that Radiant 120 SC was less toxic than Beauveria bassiana (Table 2). Farooq et al. (2020) also found similar results and indicated that Entomopathogenic fungi can be used for long-term protection against PBW population. The efficacy of EPF’s combination of plant extracts was also enhanced and may be used as IPM strategy against P. gossypiella and a potential replacement for pesticides. These findings are in line with those of Sufyan et al. (2019), who conducted trails on C. partellus and found that Entomopathogenic fungi were effective against larval and adult stages of pest.

Overall, it was observed that sex pheromone trap (Pb ropes) showed that the best control over pink bollworm as compared to all other treatments, including the novel insecticide “Radiant 120SC” throughout the cropping season. Similar results were defined by El-Bassaouiny (2021) and described that sex pheromone traps and parasitoids significantly decreased the infestation of pink bollworms (90%) as compared to the eco-friendly insecticides (88-87%) so sex pheromone traps had good potential to manage the PBW.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Eco-friendly techniques have effective results against pink bollworm. All treatment had shown significant results to reduce infestation of this pest o cotton crop. Overall sex pheromones traps gave better results as compared to other treatments including novel insecticides hence sex pheromones are recommended for best eco-friendly control of pink bollworm along with other IPM technologies.

Acknowledgement

Not applicable.

Novelty Statement

The results predicted that Sex pheromones showed highly significant results against pink boll worm along with IPM techniques

Authors Contribution

Imran Nadeem and Qurban Ali: Conceived and designed the experiment.

Imran Nadeem, Qurban Ali, Muhammad Kamil Malik, Imran Tariq, Muhammad Bilal Bin Iqbal and Muhammad Faheem Akhtar: Performed the experiment.

Muhammad Kamil Malik, Imran Nadeem, Muhammad Zubair, Sikander Ali and Asad Aslam: Analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript.

All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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