Potential of two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and metarhizium anisopliae as biocontrol agents of Rhpalosiphum padi and Shizaphis graminum, (Homoptera: Aphididae) in laboratory and field

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major staple for the majority of the global population and plays a significant role in economic stability. Being a staple food, it is attacked by various insect pests mainly aphids. Rhpalosiphum padi and Shizaphis graminum are considered serious aphid pests of the wheat crop. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal potential of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against aphid species. B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were tested at three same dose rates (1.05 × 10¹³, 0.52 × 10¹³ and 2.1 × 10¹³conidia /ml) against the aphid species both in laboratory and field settings. Under laboratory conditions, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were applied at the same dose rate and data regarding the mortality of insects were recorded after 3, 5 and 7 days. In the field, treatments were applied three times with a 15-day interval between each application. B. bassiana@1.05 × 10¹³conidia /ml resulted in maximum mortality against R. padi (83.39%) than S. graminum (79.36%) under laboratory conditions after a 7-day interval. Similarly, under field conditions, the mortality rates were 69.33% for R. padi, and 66.34% for S. graminum after the third spray treatment. The results concluded that B. bassiana provides more effective control than M. anisopliae under both laboratory and natural conditions against R. Padi and S. graminum.