Abstract
BackgroundWhite grubs are highly polyphagous and most destructive soil pests inflicting damage to a groundnut crop that causes economic yield losses in commercial groundnut production in India. In this study, potential of the two entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz., Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin enriched with organic amendments like neem cake, castor cake, vermicompost and poultry manure was evaluated to manage buildup of white grub population in groundnut crop.ResultsResults showed that the plot treated with soil application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha showed the least amount of plant mortality due to white grub which was at par with castor cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha and neem cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha which showed only 1.74, 2.00 and 2.24% plant damage, respectively. Plots treated with vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha had the fewest (0.19) white grubs per one meter row length. Based on highest pod yield, net realization and net gain, the treatment with soil application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha was found most effective treatments for the management of white grub in groundnut.ConclusionsResults indicated that M. anisopliae supplemented with various organic amendments, such as vermicompost, castor cake, and neem cake can be commercialized as a healthy alternative to minimize the use of synthetic pesticides in groundnut crops for white grub management.
Highlights
White grubs are highly polyphagous and most destructive soil pests inflicting damage to a groundnut crop that causes economic yield losses in commercial groundnut production in India
In the year 2018 (Table 2), at 40 days after germination the minimum plant mortality was observed in the treatment with vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 Wettable powder (WP) (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha and it was at part with castor cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae
2019 (Table 3), at 40, 60 and 80 days after germination the minimum plant mortality was observed in the plot treated with soil application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha and it was at part with castor cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha and neem cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g)
Summary
Effect of entomopathogenic fungi enriched with organic amendments on plant mortality (%) Results showed that there was non-significant difference on plant mortality (%) due to white grub infestation in all the treatments, 20 days after germination during seasons of 2018, 2019 and 2020 (Tables 2, 3 and 4). In the year 2018 (Table 2), at 40 days after germination the minimum plant mortality was observed in the treatment with vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha and it was at part with castor cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae
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