Evaluation of efficiency of two Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki formulations againstPearl millet head miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (De Joaniss) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under rain-fed conditions in North Kordofan, Sudan

Abstract

This experiment was conducted for two successive seasons 2012-2013 in Molbus area, North Kordofan State, Sudan. The experiment aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki to control Heliocheilus albipunctella (De Joaniss) on pearl millet. Protecto 94 and Agerin (WP 6.5), the two commercial B.t formulations were tested. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments were foliar applications of Protecto 94 at rate of 712.3 and 535.7 g/ha, Agerin at rate of 1190.5 and 892.9g/ha beside untreated control. Throughout the study Protecto 94 at all tested rates showed no H. albipunctella larvae followed by Agerin at rate of 1190.5 and 892.9g/ha which recorded 2.3 and 3.6 larva/10 heads respectively. According to the combined analysis of pearl millet grain yield the highest mean yields were obtained by Protecto at 712.3 and at 535.7 g/ha (479.8 and 463 kg/ha respectively). Agerin at 1190.5 g/ha proved less effective (398.9 kg/ha) followed by Agerin at 892.9 g/ha (343kg/ha), but were significantly superior compared to the untreated control (198 kg/ha). According to these results, B. thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki showed good potential as control agent against H. albipunctella on pearl millet under rain-fed conditions.