Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin F7-1 on Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Adults and the Effect of Ambient Humidity

Abstract

Sitophilus oryzae causes considerable damage in stored grain. Considering sustainable agricultural practices biological control plays an important role in the control of this pest. In this study, the pathogenicity of a Beauveria bassiana isolate (F7-1) against S. oryzae adults and the effect of ambient relative humidity (RH) were investigated. For each experimental unit, fungal spores were applied to 40 gr wheat kernels within a 50 ml centrifuge tube. Thereafter, S. oryzae adults were placed in the tube. The tests were conducted at 26±2 °C temperature, 65±5% RH in darkness. The mortality of S. oryzae was recorded 7 and 14 later. For the pathogenicity test, spore concentrations were applied at 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm. Increasing with the concentration, lethal effect reached to a maximum of 87.7%. According to the results of the experiment carried out to determine the effect of ambient relative humidity on fungal pathogenicity, adult mortality did not differ statistically at 65-75% RH. However, when RH was increased to 100%, the mortality reached to a statistically higher level of 91.6%. It is concluded that B. bassiana F7-1 has a considerable potential providing appropriate concentrations, and ambient humidity did not have a limiting effect except for extreme conditions.

Keywords

• Rice weevil
• Biological control
• Microbial control
• Hypocreales

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