Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana aginst second instar larvae of Spodoptera litura and Compatibility with insecticides

Abstract

An investigation entitled cultural and morphological characterizations of Beauveria was carried out during 2018-2019. Influence of different spore concentrations viz., 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109 spores per ml were tested for the pathogenicity of B. bassiana against second instar larvae of Spodoptera litura. Similarly compatibility of B. bassiana was evaluated with commonly used insecticides viz., spinosad 45 SC, imidachloprid 200 SL, chloropyriphos 20 EC and indoxacarb 14.5 SC. In terms of larval mortality, 107 spores per ml was recorded highest mortality of S. litura followed by 108 spores per ml, least larval mortality was observed at 105 spores per ml after 3, 5, 7 and 10 days of treatment. Compatibility of B. bassiana against commonly used insecticides in plant protection was tested. Imidachloprid were non-toxic to B. bassiana, as no significant reduction in radial growth was noticed. The insecticide chloropyriphos recorded 77.20 per cent inhibition of growth and was toxic to B. bassiana.