Title: Exploring the potential of using the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana as a biocontrol agent for the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais

Authors: Josué Abel Agoligan; Yendouban Lamboni; Victor Bienvenu Anihouvi

Addresses: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, Benin; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), BP 08-0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Benin ' International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), BP 08-0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Benin ' Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, Benin

Abstract: The use of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents has become a good method that effectively reduces post-harvest losses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Beauveria bassiana on the growth dynamic of Sitophilus zeamais, and the interaction between B. bassiana and Aspergillus flavus during storage. Four doses of B. bassiana were used, one combined with A. flavus. Three replicates of 250 g of treated maize and 20 unsexed adults of S. zeamais were added to each dose and assessed every 15 days, using a destructive assay. The mortality rate due to B. bassiana ranged between 53.7 ± 8.9% and 90.3 ± 4.0%. Aflatoxin contents in all treatments were lower than 0.25 μg/kg. Our study found an optimal recommended dose of 2 g of B. bassiana per kg of dry maize, and the activity of S. zeamais did not increase the aflatoxin content in stored maize.

Keywords: entomopathogenic fungi; Beauveria bassiana; biological control; maize weevil; Sitophilus zeamais; post-harvest losses; post-harvest technology; Aspergillus flavus; aflatoxin contamination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2022.125898

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2022 Vol.8 No.4, pp.345 - 359

Received: 08 Jun 2021
Accepted: 20 Jun 2022
Published online: 03 Oct 2022 *