Field efficacy evaluation of Beauveria brongniartii against Melolontha melolontha in potato cultures

Laengle T., Pernfuss B., Seger C & H. Strasser (2005). Field efficacy evaluation of Beauveria brongniartii against Melolontha melolontha in potato cultures.

Sydowia 57 (1): 54-93.

An efficacy study with Beauveria brongniartii (Sacc.) Petch, commercialised under the name Melocont®-Pilzgerste, for the control of Melolontha melolontha L. was conducted in potato fields of Oberhofen im Inntal, Tyrol, Austria. Results from these trials demonstrated that Melocont®-Pilzgerste is an effective agent for a sustainable control of Melolontha melolontha L. if used as part of an intelligent Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy. By correlating mortality data for Melolontha and Beauveria densities in the soil, a median lethal concentration (LC 50) of 1.1 x 10 50; cfu Beauveria per gram soil dry weight was calculated. Furthermore, the dose of Melocont®-Pilzgerste calculated to kill 50 % Melolontha larvae (LD 50) was 56 kg ha-1. This corresponds to the recommended application dose of 50 kg ha-1 per year. These results underline the postulated efficacy of B. brongniartii for the control of the European cockchafer and demonstrate the benefits resulting from the use of the product as required for the registration in the European Union. The applied methods were validated and translated into standardised guidelines for the efficacy evaluation and quality control of fungal biological control agents (Risk Assessment Fungal Biocontrol Agents Standards).

Keywords: fungal biocontrol agent, entomopathogen, field trials, standard protocol.