Field trial of new Bt-base bioinsecticide formula, Bashield®, for controlling Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith on maize

Abstract

Maize is one of the important staple crops. The process of cultivating corn cannot be separated from pests and plant diseases, one of the attacking pests is Spodoptera frugiperda, which can attack the growing points of plants causing a decrease in corn production. Based on previous research conducted in vitro, bioinsecticide of Bacillus thuringiensis-base (Bt-base) liquid formula (namely Bashield®) was able to reduce pupal weight, the proportion of larvae-pupae, and pupal becomes abnormal. Action that can be taken to control this attack is by utilizing biological agent, B. thuringiensis strain BT2, as an alternative control. This research aims to evaluate or to determine the effectiveness of a new bioinsecticide of Bt-base liquid formula (Bashield®), as a control agent for S. frugiperda on maize in the field. This research was prepared at the Laboratory of Plant Protection and Environment, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura, and was conducted at the Horticultural Seed Garden, Socah District, Bangkalan Regency, East Java, Indonesia (7°05'17.2"S 112°42'32.0"E). The design used was a complete randomized block design (CRBD) with 4 treatments and 6 replications. The data were analyzed using 5% ANOVA and if there was a significant effect, then a DMRT follow-up test was carried out with a 5% level. The results showed that the 15% treatment was able to kill test larvae up to 78% with a high virulence level, and reduced damage up to 100%. In conclusion, the new Bt-base liquid formula, Bashield®, has good potential for effective biocontrol and contributed as a new biopesticide for S. frugiperda.