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Managing Termites in Maize with the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

N.K. Maniania ,
S. Ekesi  and
J. M. Songa
N.K. Maniania*
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P. O. Box 30772, 00506 Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya
S. Ekesi
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P. O. Box 30772, 00506 Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya
J. M. Songa
Affiliation:
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Katumani, P. O. Box 340, Machakos, Kenya
*
E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for two seasons to assess the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in the control of termites in maize. Application of the fungus at planting was found to significantly reduce maize lodging and increase grain yield in both seasons. However, data from treatment application at tasselling were not consistent. Our results suggest that a granular formulation of M. anisopliae might be a useful option for the management of termites in the maize agroecosystem.

Résumé

Des expérimentations en plein champs ont été conduites durant deux saisons afin d'évaluer l'efficacité du champignon entomopathogène Metarhizium anisopliae pour la lutte contre les termites sur les cultures de maïs. L'application du champignon au moment de la semis s'est révélée très efficace en réduisant la chute des plants de maïs d'une part, et en augmentant le rendement en grains d'autre part, pendant les deux saisons. Cependant, les résultats issus des traitements pendant l'inflorescence des plants de maïs n'étaient pas consistants. Nos résultats suggèrent donc que la formulation du champignon M. anisopliae en granules serait une option appropriée pour le contrôle des termites dans les cultures de maïs.

Keywords

termitesmaizefungal biopesticideMetarhizium anisopliaetermitesmaïsbiopesticide fongiqueMetarhizium anisopliae
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , March 2002 , pp. 41 - 46
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2002

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