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Effects of adjuvant and conidial concentration on the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana for the control of the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae

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Abstract

Greenhouse experiments were conducted on various crops (cucumber, tomato, eggplant, green bean) to ascertain the effects of Break-thru® (polyether-polymethylsiloxane-copolymer, a silicone surfactant) and an oil emulsion, on Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Bb) applications for the control of the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. The objectives were to compare a) the efficacy of Bb control when applied in aqueous Break-thru® or an oil emulsion; b) the effects of various concentrations of Bb conidia, as affected by each surfactant; and c) the effects of Break-thru® on the activity of the fungus. Conidia were suspended either in an aqueous Break-thru® or an emulsifiable formulation at different conidial concentrations (1.05 × 106, 2.1 × 106 and 4.2 × 106 conidia ml−1) and sprayed onto leaves 2 weeks after artificial pest inoculation. Two sprays were performed, with an interval of one week from one spray to another, and T. urticae population counts (both motile and egg stages) were made on plant leaves 7 days after each spray. Bb conidia in Break-thru® were more efficacious than conidia in emulsifiable formulation. With the highest rate of conidia (4.2 × 106 conidia ml−1), mortality of adult mites ranged from 60 ± 4.2 (mean ± SE) to 85.7 ± 4.3% in the Break-thru® suspension and 39.4 ± 7 to 61.3 ± 6% in the oil emulsion. Leaf damage index was also substantially reduced from 70% in the unsprayed control to 40% by the application of Bb conidia at the highest rate with Break-thru®. Break-thru® can be combined with Bb in the integrated management of T. urticae and Isolate R444 is a promising candidate for the control of the pest.

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Acknowledgments

To the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa, PQ Corporation (South Africa), Plant Health Products and the Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda (ISAR) for making this research possible. We are also grateful to Dr Brendon Neumann for his helpful suggestions during the work and Iona Basdew for editing of the manuscript prior to submission.

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  1. School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Mutimura C. Gatarayiha & Mark D. Laing

  2. School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Ray M. Miller

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  1. Mutimura C. Gatarayiha
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  2. Mark D. Laing
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Correspondence to Mutimura C. Gatarayiha.

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Gatarayiha, M.C., Laing, M.D. & Miller, R.M. Effects of adjuvant and conidial concentration on the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana for the control of the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae . Exp Appl Acarol 50, 217–229 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-009-9307-6

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