Effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the development of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidopetera: plutellidae) in cabbage

Abstract

Viewing to evaluate the effects of endophytic and epiphytic strains of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the development of Plutella xylostella, the epiphytic and endophytic strains RAB7 of Bacillus megaterium pv. Cerealis, C20 of B. cereus, ENF4 of Enterobacter cloacae, EN4 of Kluyvera ascorbata, HPF4 of B. thuringiensis subvar. Kurstakii, PEP9 of E. cloacae, R4 of B. subtilis, PEP8 of B. amyloliquefaciens, C6 of B. pumilus, C240 of B. cereus, EN5 of Alcaligenes piechaudi, and C25 of B. thuringiensis subvar. kenyae were used. For each treatment five cabbage leaf disks, sprayed with suspensions of strains were used; the control was sprayed with distilled water. The treated disks were offered to ten Plutella xylostella larvae, aged between 0 and 24 h. Only the viability of pupal and post-embryonic phases were affected by the strains; the pupal phase was the best to show the deleterious effects of the strains of PGPR. EN4 and EN5 were the most efficient strains, reducing by 80 and 50%, respectively, the post-embryonic viability. However, the HPF4, PEP8 and RAB7 strains also showed potential for use; they are to be studied in further research.Additional keywords: insecta; entomopathogens; diamondback moth; Brassicas.