Biocontrol agents compared to chemical insecticide for controlling the potato tuber moth, phthorimaea operculella (zeller) In the newly reclaimed land in Egypt [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

A study to investigate the effect of different releasing rates of the egg parasitoid, Trichogramma evanescens West. (40.000,80.000 and 120.000 parasitoids/ fed.), two bio-insecticides (Tracer 24% SC 30 mill 00 L water, and Proteeto 10% WP 300 gm/ fed), versus the recommended insecticide (Selccron72% 750 ml/ fed), against the potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea apercu/ella (Zeller) was carried out on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under field conditions for the two successive seasons 2008 and 2009. The highest rate of wasp releasing (120,000 parasitoids/fed.) was the best treatment and most effective compared to the other tested treatments, resulting the lowest mean values ofinfested tubers (8.33 & 9.3), holes (11.33 & 14.00), developed pupae (9.67 & 12.00) and emerged moths (7.67 & 9.67) per 200 tubers, as well as highest yield (9.65 and 9.37 tons/fed.), with lowest value of losses due to PTM infestation (35.33 and 37.0 kg/ton) in 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively. The bio-insecticide Protecto 10% (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) gave moderate effect for minimizing the potato infestation. The natural compound Tracer 24% ranked third in reducing PTM infestation. The chemical insecticide, Selecron 72% ranked last for the same criteria. All treatments led to significantly, better criteria than the contro!.

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