查看文章

Plutella xylostella is a globally distributed polyphagous pest of cruciferous crops causing 50 to 80% crop losses annually. The management generally depends on chemical control, however due to occurrence of resistance to major insecticidal groups alternative approaches are inevitable. Microbial control using Entomopathogenic fungi i.e.Beauveria bassiana has potential to suppress the insect population. In the current study 5 serial dilutions of B.bassiana spores were tested by using two different methodologies against 2^nd and 3^rd instar larvae of P. xylostella. Results revealed that there exists a significant difference between the two methodologies. Direct foliar application causes maximum mortality in both 2^nd and 3^rd instar larvae. Maximum mean corrected pathogenicity 96.6% was caused by fungal spores when 1 × 10⁸ concentration was sprayed directly on 2^nd instar larvae as compared to leaf dip …