Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi play an important role in the biological control of the insect pest population in an agroecosystem. Metarhizium anisopliae is one such entomopathogenic fungus, proved to be an effective biocontrol agent against different insect pests. However, different strains of entomopathogens show variations in their pathogenicity and host specificity. Hence the present study is aimed to determine the bioefficacy of local isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus M. anisopliae to control Dysdercus cingulatus. Fungal strains were isolated from cotton fields in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Thenkasi, and Viruthunagar districts of Tamil Nadu following standard protocols. Four different isolates were identified and used for the bioassay. Bioefficacy trials were carried out in all the five nymphal instars and the adults of D. cingulatus and were treated with eight different concentrations of M. anisopliae (101,102,103,104,105,106,107and 108 spores/mL). The formulations were evaluated for their pathogenicity and efficiency against D. cingulatusnymphal instars and adults which resulted in 70% to 100% mortality. A 100% mortality rate was observed in four isolates of M. anisopliae at higher concentrations (120 hrs) after treatment. Lethal concentration (LC50) values of M. anisopliae isolates against D. cingulatus were calculated as 5.94×107(ERUM1), 6.09×107(ERUM2), 2.62×107(ERUM3), 2.69×107(ERUM4). Approaching biocontrol agents instead of chemical pesticides seems to be very promising in the march towards more sustainable, eco-friendly agricultural pest management practices and protecting the environment
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