Importance of timing of application of the entomopathogenic fungus,metarhizium anisopliae for the control of legume flower thrips,megalurothrips sjostedti and its persistence on cowpea |
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| Authors: | Sunday Ekesi Nguya K Maniania Kwesi Ampong‐Nyarko Abubakar D Akpa |
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| Institution: | 1. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) , P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya Fax: E-mail: sekesi@icipe.org;2. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) , P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya;3. Department of Crop Protection , Ahmadu Bello University , P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Nigeria |
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| Abstract: | Field experiments were conducted for two seasons to evaluate the timing of application of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of legume flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti on cowpea. One application of M. unisopliae timed at flower bud stage and another at flowering stage did not protect cowpea yield against M. sjostedti as does chemical insecticide, Karate (Lambda‐cyhalothrin). Instead, one application of the fungus given at flower bud stage and two applications given at flowering were required to keep M. sjostedti population in check through these stages, which are very sensitive to thrips damage with a concomitant increase in cowpea yield which was significantly higher than the Karate treatment. Studies of persistence showed that M. anisopliae remained active in the field for 3–4 days. |
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| Keywords: | Megalurothrips sjostedti Metarhizium anisopliae Timing of application Control Persistence |
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