Sustainable control of the rice pest, Nilaparvata lugens, using the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria javanica

BACKGROUND The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is an insect pest of rice (Oryza sativa) that is distributed worldwide and is responsible for significant crop yield losses. Of particular concern, N. lugens has developed high resistance to several commonly used insecticides. The entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria javanica, offers an alternative to insecticides for the control of rice plant pests. RESULTS We show that I. javanica caused high mortality of N. lugens nymphs and reduced the survival and fecundity of newly emerged adults in I. javanica-treated insects. I. javanica persisted on plants up to 17 days after its inoculation under greenhouse conditions carried out in summer and autumn. Rice metabolites supported conidial germination and mycelia growth of I. javanica. A granular formulation of I. javanica conidia controlled N. lugens populations in a field experiment. The granular formulation promoted fungal survival and growth in the field up to 28 days post inoculation, resulting in increased fungal persistence and greater pest control coverage. CONCLUSION These data indicate that a granular formulation of I. javanica is able to control N. lugens populations in rice fields. Therefore, this granular formulation can be an alternative to insecticides and can be used in organic fields.

Automated summary

Isaria javanica fungus shows good control efficacy against brown planthopper, serving as an alternative to common insecticides. The granular formulation of I. javanica demonstrates prolonged field persistence and improved pest control coverage.