Field Efficacy of Different IPM Modules for Management of Aphid on Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum L.) Under Semi-Arid Conditions

Aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Aphis gossypii Glower (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are the two major species damaging cumin crop throughout the cumin growing states of India. Its infestation initiated on cumin crops at 20 days after seed germination with very low incidence and became abundant at 70-80 day after seed germination during second week of January till February when crops are in full grown stage. Since cumin is most important seed spice crop, having huge nutritional, medicinal and aromatic properties, and its seed and essential oil is exporting in many countries over the world, hence quality production is the major challenge for the growers. The multiple sprays of chemical pesticides with heavy doses for pest management induce resistance in aphids, harmful to natural enemies and also enhance the pesticide residue level in the produce (seed). With this approach, the present study was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the cumulative effect of botanicals, cultural and physical methods, bio-pesticides, and bio-control agents and insecticides in the form of IPM module for the management of aphid and relative safety to natural enemies in cumin under field conditions. In this study, amongst eight different IPM modules evaluated against aphid, module M-5 consisted by seed treatment with imidacloprid 600FS @ 3ml/kg seed followed by foliar spray of ker plant extract @ 10ml/litre, Verticillium lecanii (1x108cfu/g) @ 6g/litre, and fipronil 5%SC @ 0.035% at definite interval secured efficient management of aphids (>92% mortality) with relative safety to natural enemies and minimized pesticide residue in the seeds. The highest seed yield (934 kg/ha), test weight (5.24 g), essential oil (5.98%), economics (Rs.1.08 Lakh) and B: C ratio (3.69:1) was obtained by the application of IPM modules M-5. Similarly, the higher seed yield 1072.5 kg per hectare (21.19% appreciation over farmers practices) was also recorded in field validation study under non replicated field in large area, proved its effectiveness by the farmers. Consequently, it recommends that IPM module M-5 consisted with botanical product, entomopathogenic fungi and insecticides exhibited sustainable aphid management module for cumin, comparatively safer to natural enemies and lower residue level in the seeds.

Lethal and sub-lethal toxicity of Verticillium lecanii on the biology of Mealybug (Pseudococcidae; Homoptera) under laboratory conditions

The Mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous pest of Citrus, grapevine, coffee and ornamental plants. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii and Isaria fumosorosea are very effective and commonly used as a biopesticide against various insect pests of different crops. The present study was conducted to check the lethal and sub-lethal effects of V. lecanii on mortality and life period of adult mealybug. Firstly LC50 value for nymph and adult was calculated by applying four different concentrations 1×105 , 1×106 , 1×107 and 1×108 CFU/ml. For nymphs, the median lethal concentration was 5.57×106 CFU/ ml, and for adults, 2.66×107 CFU/ml. After this, two lethal, 3.99×107 and 2.66×107 CFU/ml, and two sub-lethal concentrations, 1.33×107 and 6.65×106 CFU/ml, was prepared and tested against adult mealybug. Dose-dependent mortality was observed, and the highest mortality was due to the highest concentration of V. lecanii. The percentage mortality was 72.23, 52.78, 27.78 and 19.45% due to 3.99×107 , 2.66×107 , 1.33×107 and 6.65×106 CFU/ml, respectively, after 10 days of application. The weight of adult females was highest in the control treatment while lowest in high concentration, and it was gradually decreased after every day in the first three concentrations. The fecundity of mealybug also had an inverse relation with concentrations of V. lecanii, and the numbers of eggs were more in the control treatment than the other four treatments. The fecundity in lethal concentrations was reduced after the 8 th day of application. The life duration was most extended due to control treatment, 27 days, while the lowest period was due to the highest concentration, 13 days. Keywords: Verticillium lecanii, mealybug, mortality, weight, fecundity, life duration

Sources of Potential Fungi Generated Biogenic Nanoparticles for the Control of Diseases Transmitting Mosquitoes: A Review

Vector mosquitoes are diseases transmitting malaria, filarial, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis are an enormous burden to public people worldwide. There is no proper vaccine for those diseases; even though malaria is significant, challenges are still waiting for successful management. Recently, fungi and fungi-derived products control mosquito larvae, pupae, and adults better than compared to plants or other microorganisms. The using fungi such as Aspergillus sp., Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii are more virulent for controlling mosquito vectors, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus. The synthesis of silver, gold, zinc, and copper nanoparticles from those fungi has been getting good biological sources for significant reduction of mosquito larval and pupal populations. Fungal-based nanoparticles are highly effective and biorational insecticide for the control of vector populations. In this review, we discussed various sources of fungi that can be synthesized from different nanoparticles to control disease-transmitting mosquito vectors.

Bioefficacy, environmental safety and synergistic impacts of biorational formulations against whitefly, leafhopper and blister beetle in organic okra ecosystem

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida) and large yellow-banded blister beetle (Mylabris phalerata) cause considerable damage to okra, especially under organic farming. Thus, the present study was carried out to test the bioefficacy and environmental safety of six naturally derived components [indigenous water plant extracts, i.e. chilli (Capsicum annum), garlic (Allium sativum L.) and neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) along with cow urine in three different combinations, one commercial botanical (azadirachtin 0.15%), and two formulated entomopathogenic fungi (Verticillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana)] on aforesaid pests for two consecutive years at field scale. In addition to this, the eco-toxicological effect of naturally derived components was also studied on natural enemies’ populations, viz. spiders and coccinellids. Quaternary mixture application of chilli, garlic, neem leaf and cow urine (CGNC) at 10% w/v was found effective in reducing leafhoppers (94.6%), whiteflies (95.2%) and blister beetle (94.6%) over control. Okra treated with CGNC produced a higher marketable fruit yield (18.44 mg/ha) than those of other treatments. It was also observed that the application of CGNC had no phytotoxic symptoms on okra plants. Application of CGNC was found safer to the natural enemy's population (spiders and coccinellids). Thus, the study suggests that CGNC can be considered as a potential source for managing the population of whitefly, leafhopper and blister beetle without affecting the ecology of natural enemies and it could be a viable eco-friendly option in organic okra production for ensuring food safety and healthy environment.

New Hybrid Strains via Intraspecific Protoplast Fusion of the Entomopathogenic Fungi Lecanicillium spp.

The entomopathogenic fungal genus Lecanicillium Gams and Zare (formerly classified as the species Verticillium lecanii) includes species that are highly pathogenic to many insect genera. In this study, we identified six Lecanicilliumspp. isolated strains (designated as V1-V6) belonging to L. lecanii (V1, V3 and V5) and L. attenuatum (V2, V4 and V6). In addition, these strains were used to obtain new strains via protoplast fusion, and nit mutants were used for protoplast selection. Genetic recombination of the hybrid strains was determined using the random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) technique. We obtained nine stable fusant strains from 176 new hybrid strains, which were termed V12-10, V14-3, V16-4, V23-6, V25-8, V34-14, V36-5, V45-16 and V56-7. Morphological characteristics varied between the hybrid and parental strains. Genomic DNA analysis of the fusants also showed genetic recombination. The median lethal concentration (LC50) for the fusants were lower than that for parental strains, and the median survival time (LT50) for the fusants were reduced compared with that for parental strains. Thus, these results showed that we produced new, more virulent hybrid Lecanicillium spp. strainsas biological control agents via intraspecific protoplast fusion.

Entomopathogenic Fungi on Fabae bean Aphid, Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The Aphids, Aphis craccivora (Koch) is a serious pest in agricultural fields in Egypt. Entomopathogenic fungi are biological control agents of insects. The study was carried out on the aphid by using of Bio Catch, Verticillium lecanii, Bio Power, Beauveria bassiana and Bio Magic, Metarhizium anisopliae on A. craccivora. Laboratory experiments were done to measure the pathogenicity of three commercial compounds from entomopathogenic fungi, Bio Catch, V. lecanii, Bio Power, B. bassiana, and Bio Magic, M. anisopliae against adults and nymphs of A. craccivora. Three concentrations were used from all compounds, 107 , 108 and 109 spores/ml. at 22 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5 R.H. The concentration (109 spores/ml.) gave 100% mortality with V. lecanii and B. bassiana then M. anisopliae. The Lowest LC50 value of 2.1 x 106 spores/ml. was recorded by V. lecanii, which showed higher virulence compared to other entomopathogenic fungi. The LC50 values of V. lecanii, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were 2.1 x 106 , 4.3 x 106 and 6.4 x 107 spores ml., respectively. At the highest concentration of 109 spores/ml., the Median LT50 values for V. lecanii, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were 4.2, 5.2 and 7.0 days, respectively.

Compatibility and combined efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi and neonicotinoid insecticides against Myzus persicae (Sulzer): An ecofriendly approach

Efficacy of different entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz., Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Lecanicillium (=Verticillium) lecanii and neonicotinoid insecticides i.e., Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam and Acetamiprid were evaluated alone and their 1:1 combination against Lipaphis erysimi prevalent in vegetable ecosystem. Among the entomopathogenic fungi, B. bassiana was found most promising registering lowest median lethal time (LT50) of 48.17, 48.92 and 48.87 h during the period of 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, followed by L. lecanii (49.57, 49.45 and 50.46 h), M. anisopliae (51.81, 51.67 and 51.63 h). Amongst the three neonicotinoids, Acetamiprid was found more efficacious than the Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam. Blending of B. bassiana and Acetamiprid at half of their recommended dose took lowest (22.76, 23.48 and 23.06 h during 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively) lethal time to kill the fifty per cent test population followed by L. lecanii + Acetamiprid (22.58, 22.68, 22.52 h) and M. anisopliae + Acetamiprid (22.61, 23.82, 23.60 h). Combinations of these entomopathogenic fungi and neonicotinoid insecticides had co-toxicity co-efficient values > 1 and lower LT50 values than each of their individual indicating the compatibility amongst them. Co-application of these EPF with sub-lethal concentration of neonicotinoids could not only be a green ecofriendly option against this sucking pest but also able to minimize the chemical insecticides load in the environment.

Compatibility of Entomopathogenic Fungi with Neonicotinoids for the Management of Brown Plant Hopper of Rice, Nilaparvata lugens stal. (Delphacidae: Hemiptera)

Background: Rice is the staple food of Indians and it is attacked by more than 100 species of insects. Among all, brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is one of the major sucking insects, which can cause appreciable damage by sucking sap on other hand transmitting viral diseases. Farming community using several insecticides for managing the BPH. However, continuous use of these insecticides causes health hazards and environmental pollution and also leads to development of insecticide resistance. Keeping this view in mind, the present investigation has been planned with combined use of fungal formulations and commonly used neonicotinoid insecticides in rice eco system for managing BPH. Methods: This experiment was carried out in two parts, one is studied the compatibility between neonicotinoids (Thiamethoxam 25 SG and Dinotefuran 20 SG) and entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Lecanicillium lecanii =Verticillium lecanii) by following the standard poison food technique. Second one is after studied the compatibility between neonicotinoids and entomopathogenic fungal agents, inhibitory studies were conducted under glasshouse conditions.Result: The study revealed that two tested insecticides affected the radial growth of fungi partially at all the three concentrations (0.5RC, RC and 1.5RC). At recommended concentration (RC), dinotefuran 20 SG @0.4 g/l was found to be slightly harmful to all three fungi (20% - 35% reduction of the growth of the fungus) and thiamethoxam 25 SG @ 0.25g/l appeared to be slightly harmful to B. bassiana and M. anisopliae and moderately harmful to L. lecanii (35-50% reduction of the growth of the fungus). Thiamethoxam 25SG alone recorded 65.0% mortality of BPH and when mixed with B. bassiana and M. anisopliae gave 86.25% and 81.25% mortality of BPH respectively under glass house conditions. Similarly, Dinotefuron 20 SG alone could gave 98.75% mortality of BPH.

Effects of some bioinsecticides on the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Background In this study, commercial bioinsecticides including entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Verticillium lecanii, and Spinetoram active ingredient insecticide were evaluated against the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) larvae. Main body The active ingredients were prepared at the recommended concentrations under laboratory conditions and applied to the 2nd instar larvae of T. absoluta by spraying with a hand sprayer. On the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days of the application, evaluations were made by counting survived individuals. The findings showed that the highest mortality rates were detected in the case of Spinetoram with 56, 60, 88, and 100% on all counting days of the experiments, respectively. The highest mortality rate among bioinsecticides was recorded for M. anisopliae, with 87% mortality on the 7th day of application. Short conclusion As a result, Spinetoram was found the most effective insecticide when applied to T. absoluta, followed by M. anisopliae.