Improving the yield of glutinous white corn by distance of planting and use of biocontrol agents for management of Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenne)

Issue Date

10-2013

Abstract

Preliminary bioassay studies under laboratory conditions identified Beauveria bassiana strain, Bb 101-OFL, as a potential fungal isolate for the control of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis Guenne. This B. bassiana strain caused up to 90% ACB mortality at a dose of 1 x 109 spores/ml. The effectiveness of B. bassiana Bb 101-OFL under field condition with other cultural practices, such as planting distance of glutinous white corn, as determined by the agronomic and yield responses and the yield of glutinous white corn. The treatments in the field experiment were distance of planting as the main plot (60 x 10, 60 x 20 and 60 x 30 cm) and use of biocontrol agents (B. bassiana and Bacillus Thuringiensis) as the subplots in comparison with the standard check and control following the split plot experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Results from the field screening showed more ACB in corn plots planted at a planting distance of 60 cm x 2 cm. Other parameters such as entrance hole and tunnel count were not affected by the different distances of planting. In terms of ear characteristics, significant longer (16.99 cm), bigger (4.8 cm) and heavier (122.81g) ears were noted in corn plots with 60 cm x 30 cm planting distance whereas the lowest plant survival as well as the shortest (13.92 cm), smallest (3.88 cm), and lightest ears (79.60g) were noted from 60 cm x 10 cm planting distance. Application of B. bassiana Bb 101-OFL, effectively suppressed the population of ACB, and did not harm the natural enemies presents in the plots. Moreover, plants treated with B. bassiana produced significantly longer (16.06 cm), bigger (4.06 cm ), and heavier ear (113.07g) and resulted in a yield increase of 29.7% relative to the untreated control. In conclusion, B. bassiana is more effective against ACB than the M. anisopliae under laboratory screening. The potency of B. bassiana in suppressing ACB population under field experiment was comparable to those of Bt and chemical control (Lannate 40 SP ). The laboratory experiment was done in UPLB while the field experiment was undertaken at the RET Experimental Farm, CLSU from march to August 2011 and June to September 2011, respectively.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

27

Issue

2

Page

206

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

OSTRINIA FURNACALIS; BEAUVERIA BASSIANA; PESTS OF PLANTS; PEST CONTROL; BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

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