Biological control of sesame moth and tobacco whitefly in Antalya sesame fields

Abstract

Sesame moth and tobacco whitefly cause significant damage to sesame plants, especially in the second-period sesame cultivation areas, if early intervention is not implemented. This greatly reduces efficiency. Chemical control is generally preferred for these pests in Türkiye. Today, the use of chemical control creates many harmful results. Therefore, in our study, the aim is to use biological control agents and preparations as an alternative to chemical control. In this study, applications of Nostalgist Bl biological insecticide containing 1.5% Beauveria bassiana strain Bb-1 1x108 CFU mil-1 spores, Nimbecidine biological insecticide containing 0.3 g L-1 Azadirachtin active ingredient, and Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) an egg parasitoid and activities were determined. The application area (2 da) was divided into 3 blocks; each block was named with the letters A, B, and C. Each block was divided into four parcels. The above applicatios and biological insecticides were applied separately in each parcel, including the control parcels in each block. In the counts made according to the application results, there was a significant decrease in whitefly eggs and nymphs on the leaf surface. A very significant decrease was observed in the populations per plant in the sesame moth larvae counts. The highest efficiency was obtained with Nimbecidine and Nostalgist applications. The yield was moderate in the plots with parasitoid application.