Fusarium pallidoroseum: A potential entomopathogenic agent for the biological management of Aphis gossypii

Abstract

With rising need of switching over to sustainable agricultural practices, utilization of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as biocontrol agents, provides better substitute against chemical pesticides- having several side-effects. Therefore, an attempt have been made to explore the potential EPF fungi that could be incorporated into IPM practices for control of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner and Aphis gossypii Glover. Regarding this, an entomopathogenic fungus, Fusarium pallidoroseum (Cooke) Sacc, was isolated from natural population of H. armigera infesting chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and explored efficacy under in-vitro & field conditions. The findings of present investigation shows efficacy of F. pallidoroseum as potential biocontrol agent against okra aphid (A. gossypii), as it inflicted initial mortality of 43.33% nymphs on 2nd day and lead to complete annihilation (93.33%) of nymph population on 8th day of spore suspension application at 1x1010 spores/mL concentration. The observations against adult okra aphid clearly demonstrated that spraying of 1 x 1010 spores/mL of F. pallidoroseum resulted 66.67% mortality after 8th days of spraying. Increased mortality was recorded with increase in spore suspension concentrations. The LC50 & LC90 value for F. pallidoroseum against nymphs of A. gossypii was recorded 3.79 x 105 and 2.74 x 108, respectively. The findings were used to develop formulations (1 × 104 to 1 × 1010 spore suspension/mL conc), and tested at field-level. The results showed that formulation at 1 x 1010 spores/mL conc was most effective against A. gossypii, recorded 93.33% mortality of nymphs & 66.67% mortality of adults; could be used under IPM practices.

Toxicity and Biochemical Impacts of Garlic and Camphor Essential Oils against Aphis gossypii and Gynaikothrips ficorum Compared to Chitosan and Mineral Oil

“…The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii is a polyphagous pest attacking more than 92 plant families including field, vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops (Somar et al, 2019). Aphis gossypii infests leaves, stems and fruits and causes direct significant economic damage in addition to its major indirect damage, which is deposition of sooty mold and secretion of honeydews (Srivastava and Shukla, 2021). Sooty mold hinders the plant respiration and decreases the photosynthetic rate, causing crop weakening (Fontes et al, 2006).…”

Chitinase of Trichoderma longibrachiatum for control of Aphis gossypii in cotton plants

“…Cotton aphids ( Aphis gossypii ), as a vicious pest of cotton that usually suck the phloem sap from vascular plant parts of cotton and help in the transmission mechanism of more than 75 viruses 7 , 8 . Major damages caused by A. gossypii are associated with its remarkable deposition of sooty mold and secretion of honeydews on cotton balls 9 , 10 . Cotton aphids areone of the notorious pests due to viviparous in nature and has high production rates in a short interval of oviposition periods 9 .…”

“…In the past, aphids were usually managed using various insecticides in both greenhouse and field crops; but it has resulted in severe socio-economical, environmental and health problems 10 . The high and injudicious uses of chemical insecticides have enhanced the resurgence and resistance of most insect pests.…”