Efficacy of biopesticides under moderate infestation levels of exotic Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (RSW), <i>Aleurodicus rugioperculatus</i> Martin in coconut (<i>Cocos nucifera</i> L.) plantations

Abstract

Field evaluation of various biopesticides viz., Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosorosea NBAIR pfu-5, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium lecanii, azadirachtin and soapnut powder were carried out against coconut invasive Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculetus Martin at Ramachandrapuram and Ambajipeta (Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, AP) during 2020-21 and 2021-22. Pooled data analysis indicated that azadiracthin 10,000 ppm significantly reduced the nymphal population of RSW to the level of 25.74, 22.14, 17.67 and 15.82 nymphs per leaflet at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after spray and was found superior among the different treatments tested. Regarding the reduction of the adult population, pest incidence and pest intensity, I. fumosorosea NBAIR pfu-5 spray was significantly superior compared to that of other treatments.