IngentaConnect On-farm evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for control of Ostrinia ...

Abstract:

Ostrinia nubilalis is (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) a severe pest of corn in the major corn growing areas of the United States. The efficacy of a Beauveria bassiana application, for season-long suppression of O. nubilalis was evaluated in 1996 and 1997 at locations across Iowa. Beauveria bassiana, Mycotech 726 (Mycotech Corporation, Butte, MT) formulated on corn grit granules (14–20 mesh) at 2.2 × 10^9 conidia/g and applied with a hand-held applicator at the rate of 0.4 g/plant (8.8 × 10^8 conidia/plant). Applications were made when plants were in the V7 or R1 growth stage. The length of larval tunneling, percentage of plants not infested with O. nubilalis, percentage of plants with an endophyte, and yield from treated and control plots were determined. Whorl-stage application of B. bassiana in 1996 resulted in a significant reduction in centimeters of tunneling (46–55%) and the percentage plants not infested by O. nubilalis. In 1997, B. bassiana caused significant reductions in larval tunneling at all locations (20–53%); however, a significant increase in the percentage of plants not infested with O. nubilalis occurred at only one location. Treatment of plants with B. bassiana in 1997 did not significantly increase the percentage of plants with an endophyte;however, the trend, with the exception of one site, was for a greater percentage of endophytic plants in treated versus untreated plots. A whorl-stage application of a granular formulation of B. bassiana was most efficacious in reducing O. nubilalis larval damage.

Keywords: Beauveria bassiana; field application; Ostrinia nubilalis

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: USDA-ARS, Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit, Genetics Laboratory, c/o Insectary Building, Ames, Iowa, USA (author for correspondence: e-mail: leslewis@iastate.edu) 2: USDA-ARS, Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit, Genetics Laboratory, c/o Insectary Building, Ames, Iowa, USA

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On-farm evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for control of Ostrinia nubilalis in Iowa, USA