Avaliação do potencial inseticida de Chromobacterium subtsugae em diferentes concentrações no manejo de Bemisia tabaci biótipo b (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

The whitefly is a sap-sucking insect found on various crops in agricultural settings, where it impairs plant development by drawing sap from the phloem, producing a sugary secretion that attracts saprophytic fungi, and, most importantly, acting as a vectorfor plant diseases. The use of chemical pesticides to control this insect can pose a risk to human health and increase the accumulation of toxic residues in the environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a management strategy with the potential to provide selectivity, efficiency, and biodegradability using the bio-based product Chromobacterium subtsugae for whitefly control. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments of C. subtsugae at concentrations of 1 × 10⁷, 5 × 10⁷, 1 × 10⁸, and 5 × 10⁸ (CFU mL⁻¹), a negative control with the fungus Cordyceps javanica at a concentration of 1 × 10⁷ (CON mL⁻¹), and a control group with 0.85% saline solution. The results showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the C. subtsugae concentrations and the control group in contact tests on second-instar nymphs of B. tabaci biotype B. Further evaluations are needed to determine the potential of this biological control agent in managing this pest.