Studies on the bioefficacy of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against Plutella xylostella (Linn) infesting cabbage

The bioefficacy of different concentrations of Beauveria bassiana, a field trail was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, on cabbage. The treatments consisted of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% of Beauveria bassiana. The total larval population was obtained on randomly selected plants in each plot before and at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after treatment. All the treatments showed significantly superiority over control. The data of the two sprays showed th 10% Beauveria bassiana recorded maximum percent larval population reduction followed by 8%, 6%, 4% and 2% of Beauveria bassiana, so, among the different concentrations of Beauveria bassiana 10% was found to be the most effective in controlling the Plutella xylostella. Hence, a sequential spray with these treatments can be recommended to solve the problem of development of resistance in the above test pest.