Simultaneous use of Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus subtilis-based biopesticides contributed to dual control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and tomato powdery mildew without antagonistic interactions

Abstract

Abstract Background Implementing pest and disease control techniques that have low environmental impact is important for sustainable agriculture. Microbial biopesticides are an effective approach due to their low environmental impact and low risk of resistance development. Because it is not usually possible to control multiple pests and diseases with a single microbial biopesticide, it is essential to investigate the potential for combining microbial biopesticides with varying control spectrums effectively. Many biopesticides have antimicrobial activity and may therefore interact negatively in combination. Results This study demonstrated that a mixture of Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus subtilis formulations proved potential for simultaneous control of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood) and tomato powdery mildew (Oidium neolycopersici). Three greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of mixed and single-use treatments. A laboratory experiment comparing the insecticidal effect of each treatment was also conducted. In all greenhouse experiments, the combined treatment controlled the greenhouse whitefly (78.9–88.3%) and tomato powdery mildew (47.2–81.0%) compared to untreated controls, which was as well as each treatment alone. In some greenhouse and laboratory experiments, the mixed treatment showed an approximately 1.32 to 1.78 times higher insecticidal effect compared to single-use treatments. Regarding the control efficacy against the pest and disease, negative effects of microbial agents on each other were not observed. Conclusions These results demonstrated the effectiveness of concurrent use of two microbial pesticides examined on dual control of pest and disease and showed potential for improved control of certain pests. The knowledge of this work could suggest the possibility of more environmentally friendly pest control systems with the use of microbial pesticides.

Keywords

• Microbial biopesticide
• Beauveria bassiana
• Bacillus subtilis
• Greenhouse whitefly
• Trialeurodes vaporariorum
• Fungal–bacterial interaction