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R. Nirmala ¹, B. Ramanujam ¹, R. J. Rabindra ¹, N. S. Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Project Directorate of Biological Control (leAR) Post Bag No. 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Bellary Road Hebbal, Bangalore 560024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

The pathogenicity of twelve fungal isolates belonging to Beauveria basiana (Bals.) Vuill., Metarhizium allisopliae (Metschinikoff) Sorokin and Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) against Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis gossypii Glover and Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch was studied using detached leaf bioassay technique. All twelve isolates of thc three fungi were found to be pathogenic to A. craccivora and A. gossypii at a concentration of 1x107 spores/ml. All isolates except Bb3 and Bb4 of B. bassiana were pathogenic to R. maidis. The mortality ranged from 2 to 74 per cent in A. craccivora, 14 to 80.8 percent in A. gossypii and 6 to 50 per cent in R. maidis. Bb5a isolate of B. bassiana caused highest per cent mortality in A. gossypii (80.8%.) and R. maidis (50%) indicating its broad spectrum action. VII isolate of V. lecanii recorded maximum mortality (80.8%) of A. craccivora. R. maidis was relatively less susceptible to the three fungi than A. craccivora and A. gossypii. The LC50 of Bb5a for three days old nymphs of A. gossypii was 6.57x105 spores/ml. The LT₅₀ of Bb5a for three days old nymphs of A. gossypii was highest (9.67 days) for the lowest dose of 106 spores/ml, which decreased with increasing concentration. The highest dose 109 spores/ml recorded the lowest LT₅₀ of 1.76 days.

Keywords

Aphis craccivora, Aphis gossypii, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopiiac, Rhopalosiphum maidi, Verticillium lecanii.

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R. Nirmala ¹, B. Ramanujam ², R. J. Rabindra ², N. S. Rao ²

Affiliations
1 Entomology section, Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore-641007, IN
2 Project Directorate of Biological Control (ICAR), Post Bag No. 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Bellary Road Hebbal, Bangalore, 560 024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Four isolates in each of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschinikoff) Sorokin and Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) Viegas, pathogenic to key pests of crops like, coffee berry borer, coconut rhinoceros beetle, cashew stem borer, citrus and coffee green scale etc. were assessed for the colony growth on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), biomass and spore production in Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) and dry spore production in rice grown through di-phasic production system. The isolates Bb5a (B. bassiana), Ma4 (M. anisopliae) and V15 (V. lecanii) were found fast growing with the colony diameter of 6.3, 8.1 and 5.7cm, respectively on PDA after 15 days of incubation. Biomass production in PDB was comparatively higher in shake cultures than in stationary cultures for all isolates except Bb4, BbSa, and V13a. Among the B. bassiana isolates, biomass production in stationary cultures was highest in Bb4 isolate (0.78 g/100ml) and in shake culture in Bb3 isolate (1.02g/100ml). Ma2 in stationary eulture (0.8g/100ml) and Ma3 isolate in shake cultures produced maximum biomass (l.09g/100ml). V1 2a isolate among V. lecanii isolates produced maximum biomass in stationary culture and shake culture (0.77 and 1.03g/100ml, respectively). M. anisopliae isolates formed mycelial pellets of various sizes under shake culture condition in PDB, In two-stage system of mass production, the maximum spore production on rice was observed in BbSa, Ma4 and V15 isolates (96.0, 49.8 and 17.5 x 10⁸ spores g⁻¹) and maximum spores per gram of rice were harvested in Bb5a, Ma2 and V12a isolates (28.00, 45.50 and 15.60 mg g⁻¹). Maximum viable spores per gram of spore dust were recorded in Bb5a, Ma4 and V15 isolates (4.7 x 10¹⁰, 2.5 x 10¹⁰ and 1.7 x 10⁹g⁻¹). Taking into consideration of quantity of spore dust production and viable spores in the spore dust, Bb5a, Ma2 and V12a were identified as potential isolates for large-scale production of dry conidial powder.

Keywords

Beauveria bassiana, Biomass, Metarhizium anisopliae, Radial Growth, Spore Production, Verticillium lecanii.

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C. Gopalakrishnan ¹, B. Ramanujam ¹, R. D. Prasad ¹, N. S. Rao ¹, R. J. Rabindra ¹

Affiliations
1 Project Directorate of Biological Control (ICAR) P.B. No. 2491, H.A. Farm Post, Bellary Road Bangalore 560024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Out of twelve Trichoderma isolates tested, cotton isolate T. viride (97) exhibited the fastest growth rate and strong antagonism against Rhizoctonia solani in vitro recording 56.2 per cent inhibition in dual culture. All the isolates tested enhanced cotton seed germination when treated with mycelial suspensions of bioagents in vivo. The disease incidence in bioagent treatments ranged between 14.8 to 32.4 per cent, while pathogen treatment recorded 82 per cent. Three isolates have recorded seedling vigour index above 2000, which was much better than fungicide treatment (1471) in blotter tests (Roll Towel Method). T. viride (32) recorded the maximum seed germination (86.4 per cent) and no incidence of post -emergence mortality under green house conditions. The seedling vigour index in bioagent treatments ranged between 1004 and 1866.

Keywords

Biocontrol, Cotton, Damping-off, Rhizoctonia solani, Trichoderma.

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C. Gopalakrishnan ¹, B. Ramanujam ¹, R. D. Prasad ¹, N. S. Rao ¹, R. J. Rabindra ¹

Affiliations
1 Project Directorate of Biological Control (ICAR) P.B. No. 2491, H.A. Farm Post, Bellary Road Bangalore 560024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Among four different levels of brewers' yeast tested, 3g/100 g of spent malt was found to be optimum for the growth of Trichoderma harzianum in solid-state fermentation. Spent malt brewers' yeast medium supported all the species namely, T. harzianum, T. viride and T. virens. T. harzianum recorded the highest number of viable propagules after twelve days of incubation. All the treatments recorded more number of viable propagules after twelve days of incubation than after seven days of incubation.

Keywords

Brewers' Yeast, Solid State, Spent Malt, Trichoderma harzianum.

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T. Venkatesan ¹, S. K. Jalali ¹, K. Srinivasa Murthy ¹, R. J. Rabindra ¹, N. S. Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Project Directorate of Biological Control (ICAR) Post Bag No. 2491, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Goniozus nephantidis (Muesebeck) is an important primary parasitoid of Opisina arenosella Walker in coconut eco-system. The method of release of G. nephantidis was standardized for the first time. It was found that 90-100 per cent of the parasitoids released at the trunk (1.2 m from the ground level) reached the crown of the palm irrespective of the height of the tree. The mean time taken by each batch of the parasitoids to reach the crown varied from 13 to 22 minutes. It was also found that the parasitoids preferred to crawl on the tree rather than flying. Hence it is suggested that G. nephantidis adults may be released at the trunk (1.2 m height from the ground level) of the coconut palm for the management of O. arenosella instead of releasing at the crown region of the palm or arbitrarily on unit area basis.

Keywords

Goniozus nephantidis Method of Release, Opisina arenosella.

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K. I. Singh ¹, S. K. Jalali ², R. J. Rabindra ², N. S. Rao ², Y. Lalitha ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, lmphul 795 004, Manipur, IN
2 Project Directorate of Biological Control (lCAR), Post Bag no. 2491, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

The optimum release dosage of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja and its comparative efficacy alone and in combination with dichlorvos against diamondback moth (DBl\1), Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) on cabbage was worked out. Results of the study on the percentage parasitization under different host-parasitoid ratios revealed that the maximum DBM egg parasitization (83.0%) was recorded in the ratio 100 (eggs): 5 (females), which was on par with other higher ratios of 100:10 to 100:20. The release of T. bactrae twice (2 and 5 days after DBM moth release) proved as the most effective treatment in significantly reducing the larval population (4.89 larvae per plant) in comparison to two sprays of dichlorvos (0.05%) (14.54 larvae per plant). The results indicated the efficacy of T. bactrae in suppressing DBM on cabbage and calls for further evaluation in field trials.

Keywords

Cabbage, Dichlorvos, Efficacy, Plutella xylostella, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae.

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Arun Baitha ¹, S. K. Jalali ², R. J. Rabindra ², T. Venkatesan ², N. S. Rao ²

Affiliations
1 Division of Crop protection, Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Rae Bareli Road, Dilkusha, P.O., Lucknow 226 002, UP, IN
2 Project Directorate of Biological Control (ICAR), Post Bag NO.2491, H. A. Farm Post, Hebbal, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Pupae of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) were exposed to one-day-old mated females of Tetrastichus howard(OlIifO) for different periods to determine optimum period of exposure for laboratory production. The percentage parasitism varied significantly from 20 to 80 with different exposure periods. The number of parasitoids obtained per pupa (138.0) and females (71 %) were significantly higher when pupae were exposure for 12 hours and it decreased significantly on increasing exposure period. Though the per cent parasitism was vlry low when the pupae were exposed for 12 hours, the number of parasitoids obtained/ 100 pupae was highest (2760). However, considering progeny production and per cent females obtained, 12 hours exposure period is most suitable for avoiding superparasitism in the lahoratory production of the parasitoid.

Keywords

Chilo partellus, Exposure Period, Superparasitism, Tetrastichus howardi.

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V. K. Razdan ¹, B. Ramanujam ², R. J. Rabindra ², N. S. Rao ²

Affiliations
1 Division of Plant Pathology, S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu 180 002, IN
2 Project Directorate of Biological Control (lCAR), H.A. Farm Post, Hebbal, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Suitability of the spent meals of laboratory reared insect parasitoid hosts, namely, Corcyra cephalonica and Sitotroga cerealella for the rnass production of Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride and T. virens was studied. Assessment of optimum moisture level required in C. cephaionica spent rneal for rnass production of Trichoderma spp. was done. Approximately 45 per cent rnoisture yielded rnaximum sporulation of Trichoderma spp. While investigating the utilization of spent meals of C. cephalonica and S. cerealella, it was observed that S. cerealella spent rneal supported maximurn sporulation and viable propagules ill all the three species of Trichoderma and was on par with sorghum as a substrate. However, C. cephalonica meal yielded lowest sporUlation and viable propagules.

Keywords

Corcyra, Mass Production, Sitotroga, Trichoderma harzianum, T. Viride, T. Virens.

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R. K. Srivastava ¹, R. D. Prasad ², R. Rangeshwaran ², A. R. Wasnikar ³, S. P. Singh ², N. S. Rao ²

Affiliations
1 Crop Research Station, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Bahraich 271 801, U. P., IN
2 Project Directorate of Biological Control (ICAR), P. B. No. 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Hebbal, Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, IN
3 Department of Plant Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidhyalaya, Jabalpur 482 004, M. P., IN

Abstract

Eight Trichoderma isolates were tested for their bioefficacy against seed, ischolar_main and seedling rot incited by Rhizoctonia solani by adopting an in vivo test method (blotter test). Vigor index ranging from 169.5 to 2239.4 and disease incidence ranging between 10 to 86 percent were recorded in various treatments. All bioagents were graded based on disease grading key proposed for their rating. The clear differentiation of efficacy of various Trichoderma species against R. solani obtained with the in vivo bioefficacy test method adopted (blotter test) in the present study shows suitability of this method for routine screening of fungal biocontrol agents against seed and soil borne plant pathogens.

Keywords

Fungal Antagonists, in vivo Bioassay, Plant Pathogens.

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Sunil Joshi ¹, T. Venkatesan ¹, N. S. Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Project Directorate of Biological Control, Post Bag No. 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

The aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch is a common pest of cowpea and lablab around Bangalore. Survey for its predatory fauna resulted in recording eleven coccinel1ids, six syrphids, a chamaemyiid and a hemerobiid species. Syrphid species viz., Betasyrphus fietcheri Ghorpade and B. linga Ghorpade are new records onA. craccivora in India and elsewhere. Among predators recorded, Cheilomenes sexmaculta (Fabricius), Paragus serratus (Fabricius) and Ischiodon scutellaris (Fabricius) were found predominant on A. craccivora.

Keywords

Aphis craccivora, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Predators, Syrphids.

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T. Venkatesan ¹, S. P. Singh ¹, S. Joshi ¹, N. S. Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Project Directorate of Biological Control, Post Bag No. 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Hebbal, Bangalore-560 024, IN

Abstract

Campoletis chlorideae Uchida an early larval parasitoid of Helicoverpa armigera (Hiibner) was successfully reared on Corcyra cephalonica Stainton. The comparative biology of C. chlorideae was also studied on C. cephaionica, H. armigera and Spodoptera litura (Fabricius).

Keywords

Biology, Campoletis chlorideae, Corcyra cephalonica, Rearing.

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