In vitro Compatibility and Efficacy Studies of Entomopathogenic Fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsh.) with Commonly used Biorational and Chemical Pesticides against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)

Abstract

In vitro compatibility of selected entomopathogenic fungi with botanicals and chemical insecticides at field recommended concentrations Indoxacarb 14.5 SC, Spinosad 45 SC, neem oil and NSKE were non-toxic to the test strain M.anisopliae (Ma-L-1) as they did not show significant reduction in radial growth. The insecticide dichlorvos 76 EC (DDVP) recorded 100 per cent reduction in radial growth of test strains at field recommended concentration. The joint action of microbial agents (bacteria, viruses and fungi) revealed that the combination of pathogens did not prove superior to individual effect. All the combination of entomopathogenic fungi M. anisopliae (Ma-L-1) strain with microbial agents were within the critical limits of additive effect and combination with insecticides viz., Spinosad 45 SC @0.009%, neem oil 5% and NSKE 5%, which produced the synergism reaction.