Entomopathogenic Fungi: As an Eco-Friendly Approach for the Management of Thrips Megalurothrips distalis Karny (Thysanpotera: Thripidae) and their Impact on the Yield in Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)
Entomopathogenic Fungi: As an Eco-Friendly Approach for the Management of Thrips Megalurothrips distalis Karny (Thysanpotera: Thripidae) and their Impact on the Yield in Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)
Muhammad Nadeem1, Jamshaid Iqbal2, Tariq Mustafa3, Gul Rehman2, Muhammad Faisal Shahzad2, Muhammad Younas4,5*, Aftab Ahmad Khan6, Ameer Hamza2, Abdul Ghaffar1 and Muneer Abbas1
ABSTRACT
The use of living organisms, Predators, parasitoids and microorganisms likewise fungi, bacteria and viruses has proven to be a viable and sustainable pest management technique. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are currently used as biocontrol agents and are alternatives of synthetic insecticides in sustainable agriculture. The bio-efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF); Metarhizium anisopliae (PacerMA), Verticillium lecanii (Zimm) (Mealikil-VL), Isaria fumosorosea (Wise) and Beauveria bassiana (Bals) (Racer-BB) were investigated against the mung bean thrips, Megalurothrips distalis Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Evaluations were based on thrips population, percentage reduction in number of thrips per flower, and percentage damage of the mung bean pods. On an accumulative basis, B. bassiana at 7.5 % concentration resulted in the reduction of thrips population per flower (59.42 %) and it was observed more superior than other tested EPFs. Application of B. bassiana resulted highest number of flowers (185.40) with the maximum number of pods/plant (56) followed by M. anisopliae which produced 180.8 flowers and 51.27 pods per plant at the same concentration. Moreover, a B. bassiana caused a maximum (36.31%) flower shedding reduction. However, flower shedding, total number of flowers, yield deformed pods and total pods was influenced by the applications of different concentrations of EPFs. Overall, B. bassiana at 7.5 % concentration significantly increased the yield to 1018.9 kg per hectare than the other tested EPFs. B. bassiana was a potential candidate for thrips management in mung bean and had a significant impact on the total return. Consequently, the EPF, B. bassiana, may potentially be incorporated into the Mung bean thrips IPM program.
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