Use of bioinsecticides for the control of vegetable pests in rural communities

Abstract

The use of bioinsecticides based on entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) was evaluated; the production was carried out in an artisanal way in rural communities and they were used for the control of vegetable pests. The products were formulated with Celite® and were used at a dose of 240 g (1.2x1012 spores/ha), for the control of pests on lettuce plantations Lactuca sativa L., radish Rhapanus sativus, onion Allium cepa L., cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata, potato Solanum tuberosum L. and cilantro Coriandrum sativum L. all isolates caused mortality greater than 80% at 72 h, compared to the control, and were effective in controlling the cabbage white butterfly Pieris rapae, the diamondback worm Pluxtella xylostella, the false looper Trichoplusia ni, the cabbage aphid Brevycorine brassicae, Thrips spp., the potato moth Phthorimaea operculella, the leafhopper Empoasca fabae, aphids spp., the leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii and the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The bioinsecticides benefited vegetable producers as they obtained vegetables free of chemical insecticides with better market sales options.