Endophytic Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi for Management of Orseolia oryzivora Infestation on Rice Plants

Orseolia oryzivora (African Rice Gall Midge-AfRGM) infestation remains a critical problem of rice in lowland agro-ecologies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Substantial and increasing yield losses caused by AfRGM are putting food security at stake in the affected areas. Insecticide application is not ecofriendly and has resulted in the emergence of resistant pest strains, thus requiring an ecofriendly substitute. Entomopathogenic fungi including Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana have been extensively utilized for biological control of Dipteran. An endophytic experiment was conducted to assess the impact of entomopathogenic fungi to managing AfRGM in a systemic approach. The study was set up on Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in three replications. Three strains each of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were tested for biocontrol activity Rice seeds were coated with the inoculum of fungal strains collected from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture entomopathogenic fungi collection. The strain was prepared aseptically in the laboratory before seeding and the seed box was placed inside wooden cage in the screen house. The good agronomical practices was applied as the plant grew and five adult AfRGM were introduced to each cage for oviposition. The level of oviposition and infestation were recorded while the physiological, agronomical and yield data were collected as the plants grew. According to the findings, M. anisopliae IC30 strain considerably reduces AfRGM in 98.16% of non-infested tillers, while M. anisopliae IC20 strain controls AfRGM in 89.55% of cases. Therefore, it is clear that M. anisopliae may be utilized to manage the AfRGM invasion.