AgroPages-Researchers in Kuweit investigating biopesticides against Tuta absoluta-Agricultural news

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Scientists at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, located in Kuwait, tested the efficacy of four biopesticides, Azadiractin, Bacillus thuringiensis, Steinernema feltiae and Beauveria bassiana, individually, and in combination against Tuta absoluta, or tomato leafminer, in laboratory conditions and in a vegetation hot house.

The management of this pest is mainly based on chemical insecticides, but the dependence on insecticides is difficult to sustain.

Thus, there is a need to develop pest management strategies that ensure both the production of high quality products and environmental sustainability with maximum consumer protection.

"When second stage larvae were exposed to tomato leaves treated with Azadiractin (3 g / L), B. thuringiensis (0.5 g / L) or B. bassiana (1.5 g / L), mortality rates of 70% - 86%, 55% - 65% and 45.5% –58.5% were observed, respectively," according to the scientists.

"Steinernema feltiae was the least effective biopesticide, with 26% - 42% mortality," they noted.

In the greenhouse, pest and damaged fruit infestation were significantly lower in plants treated with Azadiractin + B. thuringiensis or Azadiractin + B. bassiana, compared to plants treated with the same biopesticides alone.

Azadiractin + B. thuringiensis and Azadiractin + B. bassiana resulted in a 90% and 81% reduction in fruits damaged in summer experiments, respectively, and 96% and 91% in winter.

The most severe pest infestation was observed in plants treated with S. Feltiae.

"The results indicate that biopesticides, with the exception of S. Feltiae, may contribute to the control of Tuta absoluta in greenhouse tomato crops," they added.