Endophytic Effect of the South African Beauveria bassiana Strain PPRI 7598 on the Population Growth and Development of the Russian Wheat Aphid, Diuraphis noxia

Lisemelo Francina Motholo (), Marde Booyse, Justin Louis Hatting, Toi John Tsilo, Makhotso Lekhooa and Oriel Thekisoe
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Lisemelo Francina Motholo: Agricultural Research Council-Small Grain Institute, Private Bag X29, Bethlehem 9700, South Africa
Marde Booyse: Agricultural Research Council—Biometry, Private Bag X5013, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa
Justin Louis Hatting: Agricultural Research Council-Small Grain Institute, Private Bag X29, Bethlehem 9700, South Africa
Toi John Tsilo: Agricultural Research Council-Small Grain Institute, Private Bag X29, Bethlehem 9700, South Africa
Makhotso Lekhooa: Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Oriel Thekisoe: Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), is one of the main pests of small-grain cereal crops, including bread wheat, Triticum aestivum (Poaceae). In a series of glasshouse experiments, we evaluated the systemic effect of endophytic Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 7598 on D. noxia biotype RWASA1 using three South African wheat cultivars, Gariep, Molopo, and Kariega. The objectives of the study were: (a) to determine the effect of endophytism on RWA reproduction and population growth, and (b) to assess the effect of the endophyte on aphid biomass and T. aestivum response to D. noxia herbivory using a damage rating index. Plant endophytic colonisation was confirmed before each trial using a B. bassiana -selective medium. Three independent trials were performed 10 days apart under glasshouse conditions. The effect of the endophyte-treated versus non-treated plants varied significantly in terms of net reproductive rate (R0) and the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of the D. noxia population. Overall, the endophyte significantly reduced D. noxia R0 by approximately 14 nymphs/female and decreased the aphid mass by 13% in treated plants, whereas the mean aphid mass increased by 17% in control plants in all pooled cultivars. These findings demonstrated the endophytic potential of B. bassiana strain PPRI 7598 for suppression of D. noxia populations in RWASA1-susceptible cultivars. The integration of B. bassiana endophytism with host plant resistance may counteract biotype development and support a more sustainable approach towards RWA control in integrated pest management programmes.

Keywords: endophyte; Beauveria bassiana; population growth; Diuraphis noxia; Triticum aestivum L. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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