Evaluation of the entomopathogenic fungi as a non-traditional control of the rice leaf roller, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) under controlled conditions

Muhammad Rizwan,Arshed Makhdoom Sabir,Misbah Yaqub,Bilal Atta,Abdul Qadir

doi:10.1186/s41938-019-0111-2

Muhammad Rizwan, Arshed Makhdoom Sabir + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-019-0111-2

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Abstract

The rice leaf roller or leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a serious pest of rice crop in Pakistan. The present study was carried out to evaluate the virulence of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Beauveria bassiana, Verticillium lecanii, and Metarhizium anisopliae against the third instar of C. medinalis larvae. Larvae were exposed to fungi under controlled conditions at the available commercial concentration (1 × 108 conidia ml−1). The results showed 73.33, 57.78, and 74.44% mortality rates in the in vitro assay and 56.67, 41.11 and 52.78% in the greenhouse assay of B. bassiana, V. lecanii, and M. anisopliae, respectively. The maximum mycosis from cadavers of C. medinalis was observed at B. bassiana treatment in the in vitro assay (70%) and in the greenhouse assay (53.78%). The maximum sporulation from C. medinalis cadavers was observed at B. bassiana treatment in the in vitro assay (144.67 conidia ml−1) and in greenhouse assay (96.67 conidia ml−1). These results favor the alternative use of EPF in organic rice production for management of C. medinalis.

Highlights

Rice, Oryza sativa L., is the second cash crop of Pakistan after cotton
Earlier researches suggested the possibility of the successful use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) such as Beauveria bassiana (Sivasundaram et al 2007 and Ullah et al 2018)
EPF such as Metarhizium anisopliae and B. bassiana have been effectively used for biological control of aphids, lepidopteran caterpillars, and other pests

Summary

Background

Oryza sativa L., is the second cash crop of Pakistan after cotton. It ranks second after wheat in cereals in terms of area and plays a significant role in the economy of Pakistan (Sherawat et al 2007). EPF such as Metarhizium anisopliae and B. bassiana have been effectively used for biological control of aphids, lepidopteran caterpillars, and other pests. These fungicides are valued tools for non-chemical pest management strategies. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of EPF against C. medinalis for possible use in an organic rice production

Materials and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusion

Funding No funding