Poster Prensentation Main.pptx

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology College of Science, Faculty of Biosciences BIOCONTROL OF Sitophilus zeamais IN STORED MAIZE USING Beauveria bassiana KYEI-YEBOAH OBED, ESHUN ADJOBA BA...

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology College of Science, Faculty of Biosciences BIOCONTROL OF Sitophilus zeamais IN STORED MAIZE USING Beauveria bassiana KYEI-YEBOAH OBED, ESHUN ADJOBA BARBARA, WITSI ESTHER, DAVINA OFORI NYARKO Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] INTRODUCTION RESULTS 3 RECOMMENDATIONS 5 Background 1 Treatment effects on maize weevils (S. zeamais) Based on the findings of this study, several Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most widely Alive weevils recommendations are proposed to enhance the produced staple crop globally, with 1.16 billion Day 1: All treatments (C1,C2, C3) started with 10 effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana in controlling metric tons estimated in 2020 (Agoligan et al., weevils each. Sitophilus zeamais. These include: 2022). However, storage challenges, due to the Day 7: C1:8.0, C2:6.6, C3: 5.4 weevils were alive. To maximize the efficacy of B. bassiana in maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais), lead to Treatment C3 was most effective. reducing weevil populations in stored maize, it is substantial post-harvest losses up to 90% in crucial to apply higher spore concentrations severe infestations (Giga et al., 1991). 10 Treatment which would enable more efficient pest control. C1 C2 Given that significant reductions in weevil C3 Traditional chemical insecticides used to 9 populations and increases in mortality rates were control these pests pose environmental risks observed over seven-day period, it is vital to and contribute to pest resistance (Dick, 1988). 8 maintain sustained exposure to B. bassiana Mean This has led to increased interest in biocontrol beyond 7 days to ensure continuous control of S. methods, particularly using entomopathogenic 7 zeamais, particularly in environments prone to fungi like Beauveria bassiana, showing re-infestation. effectiveness against a variety of insect pests 6 To enhance the effectiveness of B. bassiana, (Burges, 1981; Devi, 2019). maintaining optimal environmental conditions, 5 Day 0 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 such as high humidity and moderate This research focuses on optimizing the Duration (Hours) temperatures, within storage facilities is application of B. bassiana to control S. zeamais recommended. Fig 5. Treatment effects on maize weevils (S. zeamais) alive Further research should explore the interaction in stored maize, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing food security in regions Mortality between environmental factors and B. bassiana like Ghana. efficacy, potentially leading to the development Day 1: No deaths recorded in any treatment. of guidelines for environmental management Day 7: C1: 2.0, C2: 3.4, C3:4.6 deaths were AIM: The objective of this study is to use the that support fungal growth and infection recorded. Treatment C3 had the highest mortality rate. fungus, B.bassiana for the control of the maize processes. Understanding how different weevil, S. Zeamais in stored maize in Ghana. environmental conditions affect the performance 5 Treatment of B. bassiana will allow for more precise and C1 MATERIALS AND METHODS 2 C2 effective pest control strategies tailored to C3  Soil samples were collected from Donyina, 4 specific storage environments. KNUST Botanical Gardens and Kotei. 3  Samples were taken at 15cm depth, stored in Mean sterile bags and transported to KNUST Microbiology lab. 2 REFERENCES 6 Agoligan, J. A., Lamboni, Y. and Anihouvi, V. B.  Soil samples were sieved, diluted and 1 (2022). Exploring the potential of using the cultured on PDA for 7 days.  Beauveria bassiana colonies were identified 0 entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana as Day 0 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 a biocontrol agent for the maize weevil, and sub-cultured. Microscopic examination Sitophilus zeamais. International Journal of showed hyphae and oval cells. Duration (Hours)  Maize weevils (Sitophilus Zeamais) were Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Fig 6. Treatment effects on maize weevils (S. zeamais) dead 8(4):345 https:// collected for bioassays with B. bassiana. doi.org/10.1504/ijpti.2022.10050094 Conidia were harvested, diluted and applied Burge H.D. (1981) Microbial Control of Pests to a sterile filter paper. Statistical analysis:  Maize weevils were exposed to different and Plant Diseases 1970 – 1980. Academic Alive weevils: Significant differences by Day 6 Press, London. 949 pp. conidia concentrations; mortality was and Day 7 (F = 8.07, P = 0.006) Devi, G. (2019). Interaction between monitored over 7 days. Mortality: Significant differences by Day 6 and entomopathogenic nematodes and Day 7 (F =8.07, P =0.006) entomopathogenic fungi in biocontrol mechanism. Journal of Entomology and Zoology CONCLUSION 4 Studies, 7, 959 - 964 The research confirms that Beauveria bassiana Dick K. M. (1988) A review of insect infestation effectively suppresses Sitophilus zeamais, resulting in of maize in farm storage in Africa with special Fig 1. Sampling site Fig 2. Microscopic view of. reference to the ecology and control of B. bassiana a decline in weevil populations and harm to stored maize. Weevil mortality was considerably elevated by Prostephanus truncatus. Natural Resources higher B. bassiana spore concentrations. The study Institute Bulletin 18, 42 pp. also emphasizes the need of prolonged exposure, since Giga, D.; Mutemerewa, S.; Moyo, G.; Neeley, D. by Day 7, there were noticeable declines in weevil Assessment and control of losses caused by numbers. This underscores the necessity of prolonged insect pests in small farmers’ stores in Fig 3. Beauveria sp. on PDA Fig 4. Maize weevils treatments and appropriate environmental conditions Zimbabwe. Crop. Prot. 1991, 10, 287–292.. Plate infested with B. for successful pest management. [CrossRef] bassiana