Efficiency of Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticide in grapevine protection

Abstract

The problem of contamination of agricultural products with toxic substances is an urgent problem in production. One of the most chemically treated crop is vineyards. Multiple treatments during one growing season have led to the fact that grape plantings have become an accumulator of unsafe chemical plant protection products. Moreover, grapes are consumed fresh. Accordingly, the selection of environmentally friendly pesticides and the replacement of chemicals with biological ones has become a priority for producers of this crop. Our research was devoted to evaluation of bioinsecticide based on entomopathogenic bacteria B. thuringiensis in the system of protecting grapes from pests. Such studies are of great interest and, according to the literature, 90 % of registered insecticides are based on Bacillus thuringiensis . Microorganisms isolated from nature as plant protection agents, when reintroduced into natural conditions, preserve beneficial species in biocenoses. At the same time, they are selective and, while affecting certain harmful objects, do not cause harm to humans and the environment. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of the bioinsecticide Biometch Insecto, WP on grapevine pests: European grape worm ( Lobesia botrana Den. Schiff.) and leafy form of phylloxera ( Viteus vitifolii Fitch.). Biometch Insecto, WP is based on strains of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HG207 and Beauveria bassiana HG208. The effect of entomopathogens was compared with the effect of insecticide Bioslip, BW, L, the active ingredient of which is Beauveria bassiana . The results of the research revealed high biological effectiveness (90100 %) of Biometch Insecto, WP in protecting grapevines from pests when applied during the period of mass hatching of European grape worm caterpillars and emergence of phylloxera larvae from galls.