Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi against Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella ZELLER.) in West Shoa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella is a major insect pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum) which has been identified to cause damage both under field and seed storage in Ethiopia. It is a major threat to potato production. A field experiment was carried out at Guder, Toke Kutaye districts to evaluate the effectiveness of different Entomopathogenic fungi and their concentration for the management of potato tuber moth (PTM). Treatment consisted of three species; Beauveria bassiana (PPRC-56), Metarrhizium anisopliae (MM), and Verticilium lecani at three level of concentrations (1x106, 1x107, and 1x108 spore/ml) with Diazinon 60% EC as a standard check and an untreated control. The treatments were laid out in a simple randomize complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that B. bassiana significantly reduced the infestation of PTM larvae both on the leaves and tubers followed by the M. anisopliae when compared to V. lecani. Increasing the concentration levels of fungus also showed a significant reduction in the number of larvae and the damage caused on potato leaves. Based on the study findings, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae could be considered for the effective management of PTM in potato in the study area using higher fungal concentrations.