Potential of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. in controlling live-wood eating termite, Microtermes obesi (Holmgren) (Blattodea: Termitidae) infesting tea crop

Abstract

Background In recent years, Microtermes obesi (Holmgren) (Blattodea: Termitidae) has been recorded as a major pest of tea crop, causes significant losses in production. Managing termite pests in tea crops through an integrated approach has been suggested, and the use of microbial biocontrol agent is one of the economical methods. The present study evaluated the pathogenic efficacy of an entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. (= M. anisopliae) against M. obesi damaging tea plants under field conditions. Results Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. was formulated as 5% aqueous suspension (AS). Large-scale field trials with formulated entomopathogen revealed that 1000 and 1200 ml concentrations of M. anisopliae s.l. 5%AS (each concentration containing 2 × 107 conidia/ml) each in 400 l of water/ha significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the population of M. obesi in tea gardens at Dooars and Darjeeling regions, India. In the field study, M. anisopliae s.l. was more effective than the standard insecticide and was non-pathogenic on the beneficial insects present in the tea gardens. In addition, M. anisopliae s.l. 5%AS had no phytotoxic effect on the tea leaves, with acceptable organoleptic attributes. Conclusion Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. isolate can be commercialized as an alternative natural termiticide to reduce the load of synthetic insecticides in the tea crop.

Isolation of a highly virulent Metarhizium strain targeting the tea pest, Ectropis obliqua

“…Entomopathogenic microbes are effective against the tea green leafhopper, Empoasca onukii Matsuda, the tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Water, the red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner, among many others (Idris et al, 2020 ). In particular, beneficial fungi, including various Trichoderma species, and the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae , have shown potential for control of tea mites and termites that attack tea, i.e., the live-wood eating termite, Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder, and other insect pests (Kumhar et al, 2020 ; Deka et al, 2021 ). However, infestation by the tea geometrid, Ectropis obliqua , remains difficult to control, with current pest management strategies broadly applying large doses of chemical pesticides.…”

Entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae as a chemical substitute for termite pest management in sugarcane

“…The results clearly signified the bioefficacy of Metarhizium against sugarcane termites and are in accordance with the reports of Kimberly and Seow (2017) who reported Metarhizium as potential biocontrol control agents against agricultural pests, termites and biological vectors. Deka et al (2021) inferred the potential of entomopathogenic fungi, M. anisopliae against termites infesting tea crop and found it to be effective in managing the pest, besides no phytotoxic effect on tea leaves, and with acceptable organoleptic attributes. Mishra et al (2021) in their review on biological approaches for termite management clearly indicated Metarhizium as microbial based antagonist and termitoxicant.…”

Coffee-Associated Endophytes: Plant Growth Promotion and Crop Protection

“…The application of entomopathogenic fungi in controlling pests has become a catchy topic for many researchers [133][134][135]. It is a gripping mechanism to evaluate how entomopathogenic fungi control insect pests.…”