Abstract
Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari)) is the most frequently occurring and destructive pest of coffee (Coffea spp.) in Sri Lanka. Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuellemin is an entomopathogenic fungus that has a great potential as a biological control agent for the control of coffee berry borer. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different agricultural byproducts including five solid substrates i.e. coir dust, saw dust, refused tea, disposable parts of maize cob (pith + chaff + woody ring) and oil cake, and two liquid substrates i.e. coconut water and molasses. Mass production was done under two temperature levels, at room temperature (30 ± 20C) under incubator temperature (25 ± 20C). Fungus was inoculated into sterilized solid and liquid substrates in equal concentrations. Inoculated substrates were placed in the incubator and under room temperature and experiment continued for 8 weeks. The highest number of spores were observed in molasses (6.9475x1013 spores/ml) among all the tested substrates. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) with respect to the spore production in all substrates at room and incubator temperatures. Optimum spore production was achieved 42 days after inoculation of the fungus in all substrates irrespective of the temperature.
Highlights
Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari)) is the most frequently occurring and destructive pest of coffee (Coffea spp.) in Sri Lanka
Spore harvesting time and temperature level were the factors affecting on spore production of B. bassiana
Summary
Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari)) is the most frequently occurring and destructive pest of coffee (Coffea spp.) in Sri Lanka. Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuellemin is an entomopathogenic fungus that has a great potential as a biological control agent for the control of coffee berry borer. Mass production was done under two temperature levels, at room temperature (30 ± 2 0C) under incubator temperature (25 ± 20C). Fungus was inoculated into sterilized solid and liquid substrates in equal concentrations. Inoculated substrates were placed in the incubator and under room temperature and experiment continued for 8 weeks. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) with respect to the spore production in all substrates at room and incubator temperatures. Optimum spore production was achieved 42 days after inoculation of the fungus in all substrates irrespective of the temperature
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
