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A Novel Approach to Management of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith for Small-Holder Farmers Using Virus Extract from Larvae Treated with Baculovirus under Field Conditions
Mweke, A.; Rwomushana, I.; Okello, A.; Chacha, D.; Guo, J.; Luke, B. Management of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith Using Recycled Virus Inoculum from Larvae Treated with Baculovirus under Field Conditions. Insects2023, 14, 686.
Mweke, A.; Rwomushana, I.; Okello, A.; Chacha, D.; Guo, J.; Luke, B. Management of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith Using Recycled Virus Inoculum from Larvae Treated with Baculovirus under Field Conditions. Insects 2023, 14, 686.
Mweke, A.; Rwomushana, I.; Okello, A.; Chacha, D.; Guo, J.; Luke, B. Management of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith Using Recycled Virus Inoculum from Larvae Treated with Baculovirus under Field Conditions. Insects2023, 14, 686.
Mweke, A.; Rwomushana, I.; Okello, A.; Chacha, D.; Guo, J.; Luke, B. Management of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith Using Recycled Virus Inoculum from Larvae Treated with Baculovirus under Field Conditions. Insects 2023, 14, 686.
Abstract
A Fall armyworm (FAW) is a major pest of maize and causes huge losses. Chemical control is the commonly used strategy FAW among farmers. Efficacy of baculovirus against FAW has been proven, however, farmers may not afford the products. The use of farmer produced baculovirus mixtures could provide an opportunity for a nature-based solution for FAW at low cost. This study evaluated the potential of virus extracted from FAW larvae treated with a commercial baculovirus (Littovir) for the management of FAW under laboratory and field conditions. In Laboratory, the virus extracted from 25, 50, 75 and 100 FAW larvae caused varied mortality on FAW instars. The highest mortality (45%) on 1st-3rd instars was caused by Littovir followed by virus extract from 100 FAW larvae (36%). Under field conditions, even though virus extracts did not offer adequate protection against the FAW damage, the maize yield was comparable to commercial insecticides treated plots. This study has shown the potential of use of virus extracts for management of FAW. This would offer the farmers a sustainable and affordable option for management of FAW as it would require the farmers to purchase the commercial baculovirus once and collect larvae from treated plots for repeat applications.
Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
