Biocontrol of Aeneolamia postica Walker and Prosapia simulans Walker with Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) Sor. in Saccharum sp

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of A. postica and P. simulans with M. anisopliae in Saccharum spp.
Design/methodology/approach: Three doses of M. anisopliae (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg ha?1) and one control without application were evaluated in a randomized blocks design with five repetitions. The number of nymphs was counted, as well as the percentages of adult mortality and incidence of M. anisopliae and the values became arcosine. In the end the yield of the cane was determined. The means were compared by Tukey (p?0.05).

Results: The number of nymphs in the control was increased and the applications of M. anisopliae did not induce a significant difference. Adult mortality increased with the highest dose of the fungus and the lowest in the control without application. The incidence of M. anisopliae increased when applying 1.00 kg ha^-1. The fungus was not observed in the control. The highest yield of cane was registered with the application of 1.50 kg h^-1 of M. anisopliae.
Limitations of the study/implications: The strain must have virulence of 90% and has low accepted by the producer in the region.
Findings/Conclusions: The infestation of A. postica and P. simulans is reduced after the application of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. The incidence of M. anisopliae it does not increase over the complex A. postica and P. simulans after its application. The yield of cane was increased with the dose 1.5 kg ha^-1.