Abstract
Grape berries attacked by Lobesia botrana larvae are more easily infected by Aspergillus section Nigri (black aspergilli) ochratoxigenic species. Two-year field trials were carried out in Apulia (Italy) to evaluate a bioinsecticide control strategy against L. botrana and the indirect effect on reducing ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in vineyards. A commercial Bacillus thuringiensis formulate and an experimental Beauveria bassiana (ITEM-1559) formulate were tested in two vineyards cultivated with the same grape variety, Negroamaro, but with two different training systems (espalier and little-arbor techniques). In both years and training systems the treatments by B. bassiana ITEM-1559 significantly controlled L. botrana larvae attacks with effectiveness similar to B. thuringensis (more than 20%). A significant reduction of OTA concentrations (up to 80% compared to untreated controls) was observed only in the first year in both training systems, when the metereological parameters prior to harvest were more favorable to the insect attack. Results of field trials showed that B. bassiana ITEM-1559 is a valid bioinsecticide against L. botrana and that grape moth biocontrol is a strategy to reduce OTA contamination in vineyard in seasons with heavy natural infestation.
Highlights
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is among the most harmful mycotoxins to pose a serious risk for human health as contaminants of several food commodities including wheat, oats, rice, grapes, raisins, wine, corn, soy, coffee, and beer
Results of field trials showed that B. bassiana ITEM-1559 is a valid bioinsecticide against L. botrana and that grape moth biocontrol is a strategy to reduce
We used two biocontrol agents: a commercial formulate based on Bacillus thuringiensis and a strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana ITEM-1559 as a new candidate
Summary
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is among the most harmful mycotoxins to pose a serious risk for human health as contaminants of several food commodities including wheat, oats, rice, grapes, raisins, wine, corn, soy, coffee, and beer. Ochratoxin A contamination in grapes is mostly ascribed to Aspergillus section Nigri species (black aspergilli) [4]. Black aspergilli are the cause of Aspergillus black rot of grapes, one of the many bunch rots occurring on grapes Owing to their opportunistic behavior, the main route of infection is via damage to berry skin, caused by abiotic (rain, hail, wind, berry splitting) and/or biotic agents (grape berry moth, bunch mites) [4]. A correlation between L. botrana occurrence and OTA contamination in grapes has been established [11,12,13] In this respect, the control of L. botrana by using biocontrol agents is needed to increase healthy grape production with a low impact on environment. We used two biocontrol agents: a commercial formulate based on Bacillus thuringiensis and a strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana ITEM-1559 as a new candidate
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