Efficiency of the fungus, Beauveria bassiana (BALS.) as a biological control agent against Ostrinia nubilalis (HUB.) and Chilo agamemnon (BLES.) in maize and rice fields at Kafr El-Sheikh region [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present inllestigation was achieved at Sakha Agricultural Research Station during 2008 and 2009 seasons to evaluate efficiency of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) as a biological control agent in field applications against the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hub.) in corn fields (2008 season), the lowest concentration (2.5)(107 ) induced 26.87% reduction, while 5)(107 resulted 44.64% larval reduction, the. highest concentration 1)(108 conidia/ml resulted 58.23 % larval reduction. Infested internodes were reduced in values ranging between 23.78% and 66.53 % at different B.' bassiana concentrations. The highest concentration (1)( 108 ) reduced number cif holes and number of broken tassels by 60.03 and 73.28 %, respectively. In 2009 season, reductions were 60.88, 62.63, 47.80 and 64.85 % for larvae, infested internodesa holes and broken tassels, respectively when the highest concentration (1)( 10 conidiaJml) was applied. Treated rice plots (2008 season) by B. bassiana against the rice stem borer, Chilo agamemnon (Bles.) reduced dead hearts by 2029, 43.59 and 55.0 % fifteen days post treatment. More reduction in dead hearts were obtained 30 days after treatment; 24.23, 50.17 and 71.88 % at 2.5)(107 , 5)(107 and 1)(108 conidia/ml, respectively, Also, white heads were reduced, 30 days post treatment, by 34.87, 56.23 and 73.88 at 2.5)(107,5)(107 and 1)(108 conidia/ml, respectively. In 2009 season, 30 days after applications, dead hearts were reduced by 26.48, 51.68 and 73.30, while white heads were reduced by 35.34, 62.26 and 72.04 % for 2.5)( 107 , 5)(107 and 1)(108 conidia/ml, respectively. Thus, two sprays by the fungus at two concentrations could be applied to get sufficient reduction in reducing the Infestation by O. nubi/alis and C. agamemnon in maize and rice fields.

Summary in Arabic.

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