Field efficacy of formulations of microbial insecticide Metarhizium anisopliae (Hyphocreales: Clavicipitaceae) for the control of sugarcane white grub Holotrichia serrata F(Coleoptera: Scarabidae)

Abstract

An attempt is made to control the white grub Holotrichia serrata using entomopathogenic fungi at field level for the first time in India in sugarcane crop using different formulations of the microbial insecticide Metarhizium anisopliae. Three formulations of the microbial insecticide M. anisopliae via Talc, Lignite and Liquid formulations were used. Field trials were conducted in Vellore Co-operative Sugar mill with five treatments and three replications in Randomized Block Design. Pretreatment count was taken in 1 m2 area. The treatments of the formulations i.e. talc, lignite and liquid were mixed well with decomposed Farm Yard Manure and applied near the root zone of the cane at 5-10 cm depth and irrigated immediately after application. Two applications were made at 15 days interval.Grub mortality was assessed after 15 days after each application.The data were subjected to analysis of variance. Results on growth and yield parameters were recorded. The liquid formulation of the biopesticide M.anisopliae was found to be efficient for the control of sugarcane white grub H.serrata. © JBiopest. 261.