Grapevine Leaf Application of Steinernema yirgalemense to Control Planococcus ficus in Semi-field Conditions

  • T. Platt Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602
  • N.F Stokwe Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch, 7599,
  • A.P. Malan Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9257-0312

Abstract

The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus Signoret (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a key insect pest of South African grapevine. The ability of mealybugs to avoid or resist the action of chemical pesticides has led to the investigation of alternative control methods, such as the application of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). However, EPN application faces challenges, due to the maladaptation of EPN species to aboveground conditions. In this study, the ability of adjuvants to improve the control of P. ficus in grapevine using an indigenous nematode species, Steinernema yirgalemense, was investigated. A trial was performed to assess EPN survival on grapevine foliage, when applied in the morning (high humidity / low temperature) compared with in the afternoon (high temperature / low humidity). In a semi-field trial, the combination of
adjuvants Zeba® and Nu-Film-P® resulted in 66% control of P. ficus after 48 h, compared to the use of Zeba® alone (43%), and EPNs alone (28%). Additionally, lower concentrations of EPNs showed predictably lower mortality rates of P. ficus. Significantly, higher EPN survival was recorded at each time interval in the morning, compared with the corresponding interval in the afternoon. This study demonstrates the ability of S. yirgalemense, when applied with adjuvants and at an appropriate time of day, to control P. ficus on grapevine, under semi-field conditions.

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Author Biographies

T. Platt, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602
Conservation Ecology and Entomology
N.F Stokwe, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch, 7599,
Conservation Ecology and Entomology
A.P. Malan, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602
Conservation Ecology and Entomology

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Published
2018-12-12
Section
Articles