Field evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin against Holotrichia serrata (Blanch) in sugarcane

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted on sugarcane for white grub management using Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai District and Kuchanoor village in Theni District during 2010-2011. Application of M. anisopliae against sugarcane white grub Holotrichia serrata (Blanch) at 4 × 109 conidia ha-1 was found effective next to chlorpyriphos and registered 92% reduction in grub population on 60th DAT. The highest cane yield was recorded when chlorpyriphos was applied @ 3lit ha-1 (110.5t ha-1), followed by M. anisopliae @ 4x109 conidia ha-1 (100.6t ha-1). However, incremental benefit cost ratio (IBCR) was high with higher doses of M. anisopliae (7.58) followed by drenching of chlorpyriphos (6.09). © JBiopest. 262.