BIOCOMPATIBLE FORMULATION OF POTENTIAL FUNGAL BIOPESTICIDE NOMURAEA RILEYI (F.) SAMSON FOR THE IMPROVED POST TREATMENT PERSISTENCE AND BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL

摘要

The development of pest control measures using microorganisms especially entomo-pathogens has received increasing attention in recent years. Formulation of biological control agent is an important criterion for sustainable agriculture. Fungal biopesticides mainly Nomuraea rileyi is widely used to control various economic important insect pests. In the present study, various formulation of N.rileyi biogel, oil and hydro gel was prepared and the prepared respective formulation was evaluated for post treatment persistence under different temperature and the biocontrol potential against groundnut defoliator Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). Among the formulation, maximum rate of persistence was recorded in biogel. Fungal spore could retain the viability in all the tested temperature in biogel formulation. Enhanced pesticidal activity was also recorded in the same formulation. The present study suggests the possible utilization of biogel formulation of N. rileyi to control economic important pests under field condition.