The efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae and Isaria fumosorosea in the management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Uganda.

Abstract

Fall Army worm, (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith) is a common migratory insect pest that attacks several crops, particularly cereals including maize which is a major food crop in Uganda. It has caused not only devastating economic losses but also hunger and malnutrition in Uganda and many parts of Africa and the world at large. Predominantly the response has been using chemical pesticides, however this presents far greater risks and negative impacts on human health and the environment. The use of entomopathogenic fungi has proven to be an effective safer and eco-friendlier approach to managing fall army worm. This study sought to investigate and compare the efficacy of two of these entomopathogenic fungi- Metarhizium anisopliae and Isaria fumosorosea. The two EPF were separately evaluated on for their impact on egg hatchability and larval mortality using the second instar. The efficacy at two different concentrations were also be assessed. The data collected was analyzed using Kruskal Wallis rank sum tests and One-Way ANOVA from R Studio statistical package. The results showed that Metarhizium anisopliae is more effective both at causing mortality of larvae and reducing the hatchability of the eggs. The findings also showed that a higher concentration of both fungal isolates are more effective against fall armyworm.