Efficacy of Hirsutella thompsonii and Two Other Biological Control Agents Against the Broad Mite in Mulberry, 2019

摘要

Mulberry, a fast-growing perennial woody plant, is grown widelyin several districts of Karnataka state in India. It is economicallyimportant in the sericulture industry as its leaves are used as thesole feed of silkworm [Bombyx mori (L.)]. In Ramanagara districtalone, 18,600 ha are under mulberry cultivation by around 26,455farmers who depend on sericulture for their livelihood. In the pastcouple of years, the broad mite has attained alarming levels in thedistrict, causing malformation of terminal leaves and shorteningof internodes in mulberry. Crop loss is in the range of 20–70%,which in turn has adversely affected the average supply of silkwormcocoons to government markets. Pest management in mulberry is achallenge because silkworm is susceptible to chemical pesticides, andresidues on leaves might harm its larvae. It is, therefore, imperativethat biological control should be considered as an alternative solutionin order to protect the interests of the farmers.