The Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana on Diatraea centrella Larva of Sugarcane in Guyana

Abstract

Sugarcane is a highly beneficial crop grown worldwide and is greatly influenced by numerous insect pests. These insect pests have adapted to the diversity of conditions under which sugarcane is grown thus causing a great degree of damage to the crop. These insect pests feed on different parts of the sugarcane. For instance, the early shoot borer attacks the cane before internode formation, while the internode borer feeds after internode formation, the foliar pest feeds on the leaves and some would feed on the rootstalks.Guyana has large areas of land which are free of agricultural chemicals and thus are suitable for organic farming. Organic farming is practiced in Guyana on a small scale. However, crops such as cocoa, pineapple and heart of palm have already been grown organically for export. Similarly, like organic farming, biological control of pests and diseases is also encouraged worldwide. Biological control in agriculture is a method of controlling pests such as insects, weeds and diseases by using natural enemies such as predators, parasites, herbivores, or any other natural mechanisms. In addition, like organic farming biological controls are also ecologically friendly and are very effective. Both approaches (organic farming and biological control) are significant since the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers would be eliminated, thus reducing health issues in the environment and of consumers.                This research work is on the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana on the insect pest Diatraea centrella larva of sugarcane in Guyana. The entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, is a promising control agent against many insect pests [1]. Beauveria bassiana is commonly found in soils worldwide and has a host range of over 700 insect species, including insects from the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera.  The research carried out focuses on the effect of Beauveria bassiana spores on Diatraea centrella larva and the rate at which these spores are effective, as well as the target site of infection of these spores on the larva.               The study conclusively proves that a higher number of Beauveria bassiana spores are more effective on Diatraea centrella larva in a short period of time and the dorsal, ventral and intestinal tissues of the Diatraea centrella larva are more susceptible to the spores of Beauveria bassiana.