Trinh Thi Xuan Plant Protection Department, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam.
Email: trinhthixuan@ctu.edu.vn
Cao Thi Tuyet Mai An Giang University, Long Xuyen City, An Giang, Vietnam.
Email: caothituyetmai2010@gmail.com
Nguyen Hong Ung Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh, Vietnam.
Email: nghongung@tvu.edu.vn
Lam Thi Xuan Mai Plant Protection Department, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam.
Email: ltxmai@ctu.edu.vn
Pham Van Hiep Dong Thap University, Cao Lanh, Dong Thap, Vietnam.
Email: pvhiep@dthu.edu.vn
Nguyen Thi Kieu Bac Lieu University, Bac Lieu, Vietnam.x
Email: ntkieu@blu.edu.vn
Pham Kim Son Plant Protection Department, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam.
Email: pkson@ctu.edu.vn

Abstract:

Greenhouse vegetable crops are significantly affected by infestations from three major groups of harmful sucking insects: aphids (Aphis gossypii), whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), and two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Aim: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi, including Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, both individually and in combination with neem oil, against these pests. When treatments were applied six days prior to testing, all entomopathogens at a concentration of 100,000 spores per milliliter resulted in 84% mortality of T. urticae, A. gossypii, and B. tabaci. Higher doses of neem oil, when combined with entomopathogenic fungi, proved effective in controlling insect pests. The combination of entomopathogenic fungi at a concentration of 1 x 10⁵ spores/mL and 1% neem oil in a 1:1 ratio exhibited significantly greater pest elimination success compared to the individual treatments. Specifically, the combination of M. anisopliae and neem oil (1:1) achieved 100% mortality of T. urticae and A. gossypii, while P. fumosoroseus with neem oil (1:1) was effective against B. tabaci six days post-treatment. This research demonstrated that combining entomopathogenic fungi with neem oil in a 1:1 ratio proved more effective than applying them individually. The study also highlighted the compatibility of these treatments, with all experimental samples resulting in mortality rates exceeding 100%.

Keywords:Biocontrol, Entomopathogenic Fungi, Neem Oil, Sucking Insects, Two-Spotted Spider Mite.