Field evaluation of Fusarium larvarum formulations in the biocontrol of Saissetia oleae on olive in Apulia
2002
Cozzi, G. | Stornelli, C. | Moretti, A. | Logrieco, A. | Porcelli, F.
Saissetia oleae is a well known olive pest that causes direct damage to the crop and favoursthe development of sooty mold. The efficacy of two fields strains of Fusarium larvarum (ITEM 2135 and ITEM 2139) isolated from adults of the almond scale insect Suturaspis archangelskyae, was tested in Apulia (southern Italy) as biocontrol agents against populations of Saissetia oleae with field trials in 1997 and 1998. Assays were done using a solid formulation, obtained by growing fungal cultures on rice at 25 °C for 4 weeks. Suspensions of the fungal formulations were spread on olive branches infested by S. oleae, using different levels of CFU/g (Colony Forming Unit per gram). An encouraging insecticidal effect was observed. In particular, 7 days after treatment, a significant activity of the formulations was recorded (from 65% to 70% reduction of S. oleae populations as compared with the control) regardless of the different CFU used. After 30 days a generalized significant control of crawlers and second instar larvae was still observed except for ITEM 2135 with the lowest CFU, which showed a much reduced insecticidal activity. Finally, the data collected after 80 days, confirmed the insecticidal activity of both formulations.
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