Assessment of major insect pests of golden melon (Cucumis melo L.) and control with commercial Beauvaria bassiana in Abeokuta Southwestern, Nigeria

Abstract

Pest infestation is a major challenge in production of golden melon, this study evaluated the performance of Beauvaria bassiana, a non-residual bio-pesticide, for effectiveness against insect pests of golden melon. The field experiment was carried out in 2022 to establish the effect of B. bassiana sprayed at different growth stages on the abundance of insect pests, damage, agronomic characteristics and fruit quality of golden melon. The results showed Aulacophora spp., Aphis gossypii, Epilachna chrysomelina, Bemisia tabaci Coridius viduatus and Zonocerus variegatus as the insect pests attacking golden melon in the study area. However, the population densities of Aulacophora spp. and E. chrysomelina were significantly lower in golden melon sprayed with B. bassiana at all compared to other spray treatments and the control. Percentage leaf damage and yield loss (20.81% and 327.70 g) in golden melon sprayed with B. bassiana at all stages were similar to lambda-cyhalothrin-sprayed plot (13.68 % and 318. 70 g). Also, highest percent leaf damage and yield losses (81.54 % and 1395.70 %) were obtained in the control plots relative to other spray treatments. Number of leaves and percentage increase in vine length were significantly higher in the golden melon sprayed with B. bassiana at all stages. There was 215.80 % increase in yield of golden melon sprayed with B. bassiana at all stages over the control in the study. Also, the nutritional composition of the fruits from the untreated plots was similar to that of the treated plots