Entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (strain NCAIM 362) effects on soil inhabiting Melolontha melolontha (Coleoptera) and Duponchelia fovealis (Lepidoptera) larvae in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.)

Abstract

The functional role of the insect pathogen fungus Metarhizium anisopliae strain NCAIM 362 against the white grub cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) larvae and southern European marshland pyralid (Duponchelia fovealis) larvae in a sweet potato cultivation was tested under greenhouse conditions. As a positive control, the effect of the same strain of M. anisopliae were compared with the effect of the synthetic insecticide alpha-cypermethrin. According to the results, alpha-cypermethrin was more effective against both the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera larvae, a lower number of surviving individuals as well as less damaged tubers were detected after the chemical treatment, compared with M. anisopliae.

Characterisation of the Endophytic and Rhizospheric Bacillus licheniformis Strains Isolated from Sweet Potato with Plant Growth‐Promoting and Yield Enhancing Potential

“…Consequently, protection against these diseases is crucial both on the field and during the storage of the harvested tubers. In recent years, experiments have been reported in Hungary in sweet potato cultivation using different biocontrol organisms against the larvae of the white grub cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) [18] and the southern European marshland pyralid (Duponchelia fovealis) [19]. Recently, our laboratory reported the successful augmentation of yields through a multicomponent microbiological soil inoculant for sweet potato cultivation [20].…”