Abstract

GIRALDO-VANEGAS, Humberto et al. Evaluation of bioplaguicides to control sugarcane leafhopper Saccharosydne saccharivora (Eestwood) (Hemiptera:Delphacidae) in the valley of San Antonio-Ureña, Tachira, Venezuela. Agronomía Trop. [online]. 2006, vol.56, n.2, pp.253-276. ISSN 0002-192X.

The leafhopper, Saccharosydne saccharivora (Westwood) the existence of many natural predators, several canegrowers control this pest by using highly toxic chemical products. This situation has lead the San Antonio- Ureña Valley sugarcane growers to ask for new studies in the biological control of the insect. The research was conducted in the Tachira Sugar Mill (CAZTA) Experimental Farm at Ureña, Tachira State where 120 m² plots planted with the cultivar V 75-6 in first ratoon stage were used. The treatments evaluated were; extracts of neem (A. indica) seeds, extracts of neem leaves, the fungus M. anisopliae and B. bassiana and the predator C. externa whose efectiveness in controling Saccharosydne saccharivora populations was estimated by weekly observations from January through April 2003. A completely randomized block design was used and data was analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test. Significant differences were detected. Forr neem leaves and neem seeds population reduction were from 62,92% and 63,75% to 10,28% and 8,19%, respectively. For B. bassiana reductions were from 59,58% to 26,25% and for M. anisopliae from 61,25% to 20,14%. Predator C. externa reduced population from 62,08% to 41,25% and finally control from 65,42% to 36,92%.

Keywords : Saccharosydne saccharivora; bioplaguicidas; Metarhizium anisopliae; Beauveria bassiana; Chrysoperla externa; sugarcane; Saccharum spp.