EXPLORING SELECTED MICROBIAL PESTICIEDES AGAINST SUCKING PESTS OF BRINJAL

ABSTRACT: Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most pesticide-intensive vegetable crops in Bangladesh, where excessive insecticides are used to control the brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée) and sap-sucking pests which poses severe environmental and health risks. To develop an eco-compatible alternative, field experiments were conducted during two consecutive Rabi seasons (2020-2021 and 2021-2022) at the Entomology Research Field, BARI, Gazipur, to evaluate the efficacy of new generation microbial pesticides and some selected insecticides. Significantly the lowest mean population of jassid, thrips and whitefly were received in afidopyropen (Sefina 5 DC) and it was followed by spraying with thiamethoxam (Actara 25 WG). The mean population of jassid, thrips and whitefly were lower in Metarhizium anisopliae (Bio Magic 1.15%WP); Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bio Fighter 2.0%WP), Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Biocure 2.0%WP) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Lycomax-M 2.0%WP). These treatments have been showed better performance among the microbial pesticides. The mean aphid, jassid and whitefly population was (2.11, 4.52 & 3.02/five leaves, respectively) in Sefina 5 DC and it was followed by Actara 25 WG (2.72, 5.86 & 6.81/five leaves, respectively). In the treatment Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Biocure 2.0%WP) the mean aphid, jassid and whitefly population was (3.02, 7.15 & 8.49/five leaves, respectively). However, among them afidopyropen (Sefina 5 DC) resulted the greatest pest suppression, appeared as the best approach providing highest average yield (16.08 t ha⁻¹) whereas Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Biocure 2.0%WP) treated plot produced 14.25 t ha⁻¹. The biorational tool offers a robust, residue-free alternative to pesticide-intensive management. Adoption of such bio-intensive strategies can substantially reduce chemical dependency, conserve natural enemies, and promote safer, more sustainable brinjal production systems in Bangladesh and similar agro-ecological regions. 

Keywords: Assessment, Solanum melongena, jassids, whiteflies, aphids, microbial pesticides