Abstract

ObjectiveThis study was aimed to assess the enzymatic activity and pathogenicity potential of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against whiteflies in Ethiopia.ResultsThe data showed that Beauveria bassiana AAUMB-29, AAUMFB-77, and AAUEB-59 generated the highest chitinase (EI = 3.41), lipase (EI = 4.45), and protease activities (EI = 5.44) respectively. The pathogenicity study of isolates on whitefly nymphs and adults indicated significant variation (P < 0.05) with mortality ranging from 71.67 to 98.33% and 60 to 100% against Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum nymphs respectively. The mortality of adults was between 58 and 94.27% against B. tabaci and 59.03 to 95.37% against T.vaporariorum. The result also showed that AAUMB-29, AAUMFB-77, and AAUDM-43 were the most virulent with LC50 values of 2.7 × 104, 5.3 × 104, and 5.4 × 104 conidia/ml against nymphs of B. tabaci, and with LC50 values 6.8 × 104, 8.2 × 104, and 7.2 × 104 conidia/ml against nymphs of T. vaporariorum, respectively. The B. bassiana AAUMB-29, B. bassiana AAUMFB-77, and M. anisopliae AAUDM-43 induced the highest whitefly mortality than other isolates. These isolates can be recommended for further tests under field conditions to fully realize their potential as effective biocontrol agents against whitefly pests in tomato.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.