Evaluation of native isolates of Basillus thuringiensis and Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Abstract

Twelve isolates of b, thuringiensis and three of m anisopliae were isolated from the soil and cadavers obtained from diverse geographical regions of kenya. Pathogenicity of fifteen isolates of bithuringiensis and fourteen of m anisopliae to p. Xylostella was determined in the laboratory. Mortality caused by b. Thuringiensis to the first instar larvae varied between 6 and 100%. Five isolates caused mortality of 100 % in the first day after inoculation. Lethal time for the most virulent isolate was 0.5 days and 8.3 days for the less virulent. There were also differences in the pathogenicity of isolates of m anisopliae against p. Xylostella larvae. Mortality ranged from 40 -100 %. Two isolates, icipe 20 and kz-4 were the most pathogenic causing 100 % within 5 days. Isolate icipe 30 was the less pathogenic as it caused mortality of 40 % in 8 days. Isolate icipe 20 had the shortest ltso of2.3 daysand icipe 30 the longest of8.1 days. Dose - mortality response against p. Xylostella larvae was determined for four isolates of b. Thuringiensis (kf-2, mr-1, na-2, na-3 and px-k3) and two ofm anisopliae (icipe 20 and kz-4). Mortality was dose dependent for the two ntomopathogens. Lethal dose for the most pathogenic b. Thuringiensis isolate was 1.2 x 105 and 5.1 x 105 spores mrl for the less pathogenic isolate. Lethal doses for m anisopliae isolates icipe 20 and kz-4 were 2.3 x 105 conidia ml'l and 3.9 x106 conidia mrl, respectively. Different larvae stages of p. Xylostella exposed to both entomopathogens varied in their susceptibility to infection. Younger instars were more susceptible than the older larval instars. Lethal dose for the most susceptible stage was 7.1 x 104 spores ml'l and 2.7 x 106 spores mrl for the vii less susceptible stage. Lethal dose for second and third instar larvae treated with m anisopliae were 8.9 x 105 and 3.2 x 106 conidia ml -1, respectively. Good control of p. Xylostella larvae with b. Thuringiensis, isolate px- k3 arid m anisopliae, isolate icipe 20 was achieved in the green house experiment that compared favourably with one chemical pesticide, lambda cyholothrin (karate®). Isolate of b. Thuringiensis, px-k3 recorded the highest mortality of 96 % while karate® exhibited the lowest mortality of 62 % at eight days post treatment. The results obtained in this study suggest a potential for the deployment of these entomopathogens in the management of p. Xylostella