EVALUATION OF BACTERIAL ISOLATES IN THE CONTROL OF Plutella xylostella L. IN BROCCOLI

Abstract

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) is an insect that causes great losses in Brassica plantations, which may reach 100% loss in some cases. The most common method to control this pest is still the use of insecticide. However, its successive and arbitrary use has contributed to the development of insecticide resistance, and the study of alternative methods has become essential to successfully control the diamondback moth in broccoli. The objective of this study was to select isolates of rhizobacteria that act to control diamondback moth in broccoli. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with three bacterial isolates [1 - Kluyvera ascorbata (EN4); 2 - Bacillus subtllis (R14); 3 - Bacillus cereus (C210) and 4 - Control (distilled water + spreader sticker)] tested with 5 repetitions in 20 m2 plots. Larval viability (LV), pupal viability (PV), larval stage duration (LD), pupal stage duration (PD), pupal weight (PW) and total mortality (TM) were evaluated. The rhizobacteria isolates performed better to reduce larval and pupal viability, larval and pupal duration, and increase total mortality, and can be used as a management option to complement the control strategies of the diamondback moth in broccoli.