The Role of Beauveria bassiana in Integrated Pest Management: A Comprehensive Review | Chapter 1 | Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 8

 

In contemporary agriculture, effective pest control remains essential for ensuring healthy crop production and global food security. The excessive use of synthetic pesticides in farming has raised serious concerns about environmental damage and health risks. These impacts include the emergence of pesticide-resistant pests, reduction in biodiversity, deterioration of soil quality and pollution of water bodies. As a safer and sustainable option, Beauveria bassiana, a naturally occurring fungus found in soil, has gained attention for its ability to control various insect pests. Beauveria bassiana belongs to the phylum Ascomycota, order Hypocreales, and family Cordycipitaceae. Environmental factors, namely temperature, humidity, as well as ultraviolet exposure, greatly impact its distribution, especially in above-ground habitats where adverse conditions limit its survival during warmer months. The fungus disperses through multiple pathways, including rain splash, wind, and via insects that facilitate its movement between soil and vegetation. Beauveria infects insects by attaching to the exoskeleton, penetrating their defences, and growing inside until the insect dies. Studies have shown its effectiveness against major pests such as Callosobruchus maculatus, Tuta absoluta, and Macrosiphum rosae, making it a valuable biological control agent. Its broad host range and eco-friendly nature allow it to fit well within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems, reducing the reliance on harmful chemicals. Additionally, advancements like combining B. bassiana with additives such as kaolin have improved its efficiency in real-world conditions. While enhancing its pest-killing ability through genetic modifications shows promise, it’s also important to maintain its natural resilience. Overall, B. bassiana provides long-term pest control, supports sustainable farming practices, and offers a reliable alternative to chemical pesticides, contributing to safer agriculture and environmental conservation. With continued research and strategic application, it holds great potential for future crop protection, ensuring safety for both people and the environment.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Karthik Santhosh
Department of Entomology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Baburayenpettai, Chengalpattu, India.

 

Vairam Namachivayam
Department of Agricultural Engineering, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, India.

 

Murugan Nagarajan
Department of Entomology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Baburayenpettai, Chengalpattu, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpbs/v8/6241

Study on the Effect of Storage Conditions of Beauveria bassiana WP Formulations on its Survival Rate and Infectivity to Rice hispa, Dicladispa armigera (Olivier), Chrysomelidae Coleoptera | Chapter 8 | Contemporary Research and Perspectives in Biological Science Vol. 5

The wettable powder formulation was developed by using the aerial conidia of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. The insecticidal efficacy of the prepared formulation against two-day-old adult Rice hispa, Dicladispa armigera, was evaluated based on different storage temperatures. The shelf life of a talc-based wettable powder formulation of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. was tested at room temperature (24±1°C), refrigerated conditions (4°C), and in deep freeze conditions (–4°C to –6°C). At room temperature, the conidia remained viable for up to 180 days, maintaining a density of 20.22 × 107 conidia/gm and exhibiting 48% pathogenicity. In refrigerated conditions, viability extended to 210 days with the same conidial density, but pathogenicity increased to 69.45%. However, under deep freeze conditions, viability lasted for 300 days with the same conidial load, though pathogenicity dropped significantly to 20%.

 

Author (s) Details

Purnima Das
Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, India.

 

L.K. Hazarika
Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, India.

 

K.C. Puzari
Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, India.

 

D. Bora
Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, India.

 

S. Ray
Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, India.

 

Please see the book here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpbs/v5/3030

Study on Mass Production of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. for the Management of Rice Hispa, Dicladispa armigera (Olivier) | Chapter 9 | Cutting-edge Research in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 11

 Rice hispa D. armigera is one of the most significant global crop production constraints. It attacks the vegetative stages of summer rice, causing a 35-65 percent yield loss, and post-flooded transplanted rice, causing a 100 percent yield loss throughout Assam, making it one of the major limiting factors in rice production in Assam. Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. is a naturally occurring potent entomopathogenic fungus that has been used successfully to control a variety of rice insect pests, including rice hispa. Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill (Strain) was used to develop a good formulation. AAU-09) is grown in potato broth, rice gruel, coconut water, rice husk, sawdust, and rice bran. Among the solid media tested, rice husk with 2% dextrose produced the most spores (6.25 x 107 conidia/ml) and had the highest pathogenecity (86.67%) to adults of Dicladispa armigera (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Similarly, among the liquid media, potato broth supplemented with synthetic chitin (2%), dextrose (2%), and peptone (2% ) supported maximum spore production. Chitin is required not only for spore production, but also to increase the power of penetrating the cuticle.

Author (s) Details

Dr. Purnima Das
Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, 785 013, Assam, India.

Professor L. K. Hazarika
Academic Registrar Assam Women's University Jorhat, 785004, Assam, India.

Dr. D. Bora
Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, 786 004, Assam, India.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CRAS-V11/article/view/1968