Compatibility of entomopathogenic fungi and botanical extracts against the wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Sajjad Ali,Asif Sajjad,Muhammad Aslam Farooqi,Ali Asghar,Ahmad Kaleem Qureshi,Waqas Waheed,Muhammad Sarfraz,Bushra Siddique,Muhammad Irfan Ullah

doi:10.1186/s41938-018-0101-9

Sajjad Ali, Asif Sajjad + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-018-0101-9

Copy DOI

Abstract

Wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fab.), is a serious pest of wheat crop across the world. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potentials of the water plant extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) or Eucalyptus camaldulensis and the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF); Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium anisopliae against the aphid species. After 5 days of applications, the combined mixture of B. bassiana and eucalyptus extract caused the maximum mortality rate (87%). While the combination of B. bassiana with neem extract showed the least rate (54%). Fecundity was negatively affected by the single and combined treatments of EPF and botanicals extracts. The lowest fecundity (7 nymphs per female) was recorded when the aphid was treated by the binary mixture of B. bassiana and eucalyptus extract. Correspondent maximum fecundity (29 nymphs per female) in 5 days was recorded in control treatment, while 23 nymphs were produced by a single female when treated with the binary mixture of B. bassiana and neem extract. The results indicated that EPF and botanical extracts (neem or eucalyptus) caused significant reduction in survival and fecundity of S. avenae. Therefore, they may be used as promising natural alternatives to synthetic insecticides against the wheat aphid species.

Highlights

Wheat crop, Triticum aestivum L., the most widely grown cereal in the world, is one of the major staple crops throughout the world, including Pakistan, by serving food to more than 35% of the world population (Khan et al 2013)
Insect collection and rearing Wheat aphid species was collected from insecticide-free wheat fields of the university research area and reared on wheat seedlings grown in plastic pots
Preparation of plant extracts The fresh leaves of neem, Azadirachta indica L. and Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis D. were collected and washed sufficiently by distilled water

Summary

Introduction

Triticum aestivum L., the most widely grown cereal in the world, is one of the major staple crops (foods) throughout the world, including Pakistan, by serving food to more than 35% of the world population (Khan et al 2013). Sitobion avenae (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the major insect pests of wheat worldwide. This species causes serious yield losses by direct feeding and indirectly by spreading wheat pathogens during early stages of wheat crop (Kindler et al 1995). Several species of aphids have become resistant due to excessive use of insecticide. It is required to control their populations effectively (Shah et al 2017).

Methods

Results

Conclusion