Microbial control of agricultural pests in Taiwan

Microbial control of agricultural pests in Taiwan

1994

A:PS

Microbial control stratege has demonstrated its advantages over chemicals in agricultural pest control. In Taiwan, entomopathogens have been used to control insect pests since 1910. In 1980, a reserch team from universities and institues with interdisciplinary training was formed to conduct various microbial control projects. Since then, many activities have been carried out with good results. Bacillus thuringiensis gave satisfactory results in field trials to control Plutella xylostella, Pieris rapae, and Ostrinia furnacalis. The efficacy was enhanced by the addition of feeding stimulant or adjuvants. Several assays also were developed for quality control. In recent years, the exploration and genetic engineering of B. thuringiensis have been focused. Green muscardine fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae, was applied to Spodoptera exigua, Brontispa longissima and Laodelphax striatellus. Beauveria bassiana pathogenic to Cylas formicarius, Riptortus clavatus and O. furnacalis was field tested. Cordyceps spp. are infective to a number of insect species. Verticellium lecaniiis pathogenic to aphids. Sphaerostible auranticola was found to be pathogencito Pseudaonidia duples. Virulent baculoviruses such as granulosis of P. xylostella (PxGV), P. rapae (ArGV), nuclear polyhedrosis virus of S. litura (SINPV), S. exigua (SeNPV), and Heliothis sp. (HsNPV) were identified and field tested against their own host. The effectivenss of various adjuvants were also evaluated. Genetically improvement of Audtographa californica NPV was made. The isolation, screening and strain improvement of indigenous entomophathogens are essential to the development of microbial insecticides. [AS/thh]

no.140:1-11, FOOD & FERTILIZER TECHNOLOGY CENTER, TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Research > Published Articles