Microbial Bioformulations for Suppression of Major Insect Pests and Diseases and Enhanced Biochemical Properties of Tea Crop

Abstract

Four different microbial bioformulations (Biosona, Biotime, Biogreen-5 and Biogreen-L) were explored under a biointensive strategy for management of major insect pests (Tea mosquito bug, Looper caterpillar, Red spider mites and Tea aphid) and disease (grey blight) of tea (Camellia sinensis). Analytical assays were also done to record biochemical changes in tea leaves due to application of the bioformulations following standard protocol. The bioformulations were applied as foliar spray at an interval of 15 days during May to September of 2016. Significantly highest reduction of tea mosquito bug (89.06%), red spider mite (92.04%), looper caterpillar (91.47%), aphid (92.53%) and grey blight (91.20%) was recorded due to application of Biogreen-5 (Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Bacillus thuringiensis based consortia bioformulation). Application of Biogreen-5 also showed enhanced level of caffeine (4.11%) and polyphenols (22.77%) along with increase in the green leaf yield (7.80 kg/plot).