Significance of Cuticle Degrading Enzymes With Special Reference to Lipase in Biocontrol of Sugarcane Woolly Aphids

摘要

Sugarcane woolly aphid (Ceretovacuna lanigera) Zehntner (Hemiptera: Aphididae) has become a serious pest in Maharashtra state. The woolly aphid multiplies profusely and de-saps the foliage heavily and excretes honey dew like substances on leaves whichfavour the growth of a black sooty mould (Capnodium sp.), resulting in drying of leaves that ultimately decrease yield and sugar recovery. The external lipids produced by sugarcane woolly aphid consisted of wax particles composed of a mixture of long-chain aldehydes and long-chain alcohols the major chain lengths detected were C24, C26 and C28. The enzyme preparations from Myrothecium verrucaria, Metarhizium anisopliae and Bacillus sp. were tested for the control of C. lanigera. For the first time, thesignificance of cuticle degrading enzymes, lipase in particular, singly and in combination with other biocontrol agents was evaluated. Under field conditions, the enzyme preparation of M. verrucaria, singly as well as in combination with conidia of M. anisopliae showed better control of woolly aphids in sugarcane.