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

Authors : Zeynep Şahin Taylan, Mehmet Kubilay Er

Pages : 10-16

Doi:10.46876/ja.1402159

View : 77 | Download : 54

Publication Date : 2024-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

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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