Abstract:
Objective Efficacy of applying Beauveria bassiana as a biological agent to control Myllocerinus aurolineatus Voss at tea plantations was evaluated.
Method In a rice fermentation medium, purified B. bassiana Bb338 was cultured, collected, and made into granules for the experiment. Varying dosages of the granules were blended into soil and evenly spread on the ground under tea bushes and between rows at the plantation lot. Numbers of M. aurolineatus larvae and pupae in the soil at the treatment lot were counted in a span of 40 d.
Result Ten days after applying 7.50 g·m−2 of the granules, a 60.23% control effect was observed. In 30 d, the control reached 73.68%. Under varied application dosages for 40 d, the granule showed a control effect of 71.93% with a 7.50 g·m−2 treatment, one of 68.63% with 3.75 g·m−2 treatment, and one of 27.27% with 1.50 g·m−2 treatment.
Conclusion The application of B. bassiana granules at a rate of 7.50 g·m−2 on soil appeared effective in controlling the weevil infestation at tea plantations.