Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, including mixtures with K2SiO3, for Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) control on sweet corn plants
摘要
Mollicutes transmitted by the corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, cause irreversible damage, particularly in sweet corn plants. The mixture of silicate compounds and fungi is poorly explored for controlling D. maidis, but is more environmental-friendly than synthetic insecticides. The control efficiency of D. maidis treated with Beauveria bassiana (T1), Metarhizium anisopliae (T2), potassium silicate (T3), B. bassiana + potassium silicate (T4), M. anisopliae + potassium silicate (T5), and the insecticide premix Thiamethoxam (neonicotinoid) + Lambda-Cyhalothrin (pyrethroid) (T6) was evaluated on sweet corn plants through a randomized block design in the field. Dalbulus maidis samplings were done at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days after application of the treatments with yellow pan traps. Beauveria bassiana represented the lowest control efficiency values over time. Binary mixtures for both fungi with potassium silicate generated intermediate control efficiency values, but better than when applied in isolation, suggesting a possible synergistic effect. Metarhizium anisopliae and the insecticide showed better control efficiency of D. maidis with very close similarity through time. The similar effect of Metarhizium anisopliae with the insecticide indicates the promise of this microbial agent to control Dalbulus maidis on sweet corn plants.