Pentodon algerinum has recently decimated the strawberry plant in Egypt. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Spodoptera littoralis Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SpliNPV) and Pentodon algerinum Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (PNPV) against Pentodon third instar larvae in the field on Fortuna strawberry in Qalubia Governorate, as well as their impact on strawberry yield in order to find a successful and safe alternative control method against this pest. The fraction of plots infected by P. algerinum larvae before PNPV and SpliNPV treatments varied from (18.18 to 48.9%) and (18.0 to 22.73%), respectively. After PNPV and SpliNPV treatments, statistical analysis revealed significant differences in percent infestation, percent infestation decrease, and percent healthy plants compared to prior treatments (the Probability (P) was 0.0 0.05). The effects of PNPV and SpliNPV are not significantly different (the Probability (P) was 1.0 > 0.05). There was also a significant difference in weight and price between (NPV virus-infected strawberry and untreated infested strawberry (P=0.005)) and (healthy strawberry and untreated infested strawberry (P=0.004). In terms of weight and price, there was no significant difference between the NPV virus-infested strawberry and the healthy strawberry (P=0.761). These findings demonstrated that PNPV and SpliNPV were effective against this insect, allowing the plant to restore its strength and production, demonstrating that PNPV and SpliNPV are safe for this plant. As a consequence, PNPV and SpliNPV can be recommended as pest biocontrol agents that are both environmentally acceptable.

Author(s) Details:

Samah M. M. Abd El-Aziz,
Department of Pests & Plant Protection, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

A. M. E. Abd El-Salam,
Department of Pests & Plant Protection, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

Magda H. Rady,
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Bouthaina A. Merdan,
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Hany M. Hussein,
Department of Pests & Plant Protection, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

El-Sayed M. A. El-Saiedy,
Department of Pests & Plant Protection, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CTAS-V7/article/view/6779