COMPATIBILIDADE DE FUNGOS ENTOMOPATOGÊNICOS COM INSETICIDAS QUÍMICOS UTILIZADOS NO MANEJO INTEGRADO EM CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR

Abstract

Chemical insecticides are important tools in agriculture; however, their frequent use may lead to issues such as environmental contamination, food residues, and the development of pest resistance. To prevent or delay some of these problems, biological control agents can be employed in combination with chemical insecticides, potentially enhancing pest management efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the compatibility of commonly used sugarcane insecticides with entomopathogenic fungi. Treatments were arranged in a factorial design combining five insecticides, whose active ingredients were: thiamethoxam, lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole, abamectin, alpha-cypermethrin + dinotefuran, and ethiprole; five dosages; and three entomopathogenic fungi — Beauveria bassiana IBCB 66, Metarhizium anisopliae IBCB 425, and Metarhizium brunneum F52 — resulting in a total of 78 treatments. Each treatment comprised five replicates and three pseudoreplicates within each, in a completely randomized design. The fungi were cultured on a growth medium containing the insecticides, and the following parameters were evaluated: mycelial growth, sporulation, and conidial viability. Based on these results, a biological index was calculated. The chemical insecticides used in sugarcane management predominantly exhibited moderately compatible to toxic effects on the B. bassiana isolate, potentially impairing its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent. In contrast, they were mostly compatible with the M. anisopliae and M. brunneum isolates, suggesting their suitability for use in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, at the tested formulations and concentrations, for controlling pests targeted by these entomopathogens.