Effects of entomopathogenic fungus (metarhizium anisopliate) on the termite (coptotermes curvignathus)
Coptotermes curvignathus (BLATTODEA: Rhinotermitidae) is a major termite pest in the oil palm plantations on peat as it attacks the living tissues of the plants. Biological control using Metarhizium anisopliae in the peat area has potential for termite control due to its advantages such as enviro...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2010
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/77995/1/t%20FSPM%202010%203%20%281800000117%29%20ir.pdf |
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| Summary: | Coptotermes curvignathus (BLATTODEA: Rhinotermitidae) is a major
termite pest in the oil palm plantations on peat as it attacks the living tissues
of the plants. Biological control using Metarhizium anisopliae in the peat area
has potential for termite control due to its advantages such as environmental
friendly and non-hazardous to human health compared to chemical
measures. In this study, several isolates of M. anisopliae was obtained from
both peat and mineral soils and screened for their pathogenic effect on C.
curvignathus. Five potential isolates (TA, LR2, MG, CI and AR3) had been
further characterised and evaluated for their pathogenicity activity and
investigated for their mode of action. There was also no repellent effect of the termites towards the isolates. Among the five isolates isolate TA had the
most potential, followed by isolate LR2 and the least potential was isolate CI.
Isolate TA which was obtained from peat soil, had the highest virulence and
exhibited the quickest sporulation at 2 days post inoculation. The ultra
structural studies revealed that isolate TA was able to have a higher
virulence level compared to other isolates was due to its quick germination
and penetration (within 3 hours) of the mycelia into the termite body, where
the colonization of mycelia happened subcutaneously. Between isolate TA
and LR2, isolate TA that germinated and penetrated into the termite more
quickly. Isolate CI was the least virulent as this was the only isolate that did
not spread subcutaneously; hence, it was very likely that the mycelia would
have been groomed off before they were able to penetrate. The total
mortality of the termites was not only due to the infection of the isolates, but
also due to the induced alarm behaviour by the isolates among the termites
causing them to be buried or cannibalized the weakened or infected
member. Direct applications, like drenching and topical application were very
effective but not practical for field application, unless the termite nests or
colony can be identified in the peat area. Hence, with a potential isolate like
isolate TA and LR2, successful biological control for termites, C.
curvignathus, for oil palms on peat can be achieved. However, enhancement
of the potential isolates and a suitable application method can augment the
effect of the isolates during the field applications. |
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