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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #378194
Research Project: Enhancing Plant Protection through Fungal Systematics

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Title: Local isolates of Beauveria bassiana for control of the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei in Puerto Rico: virulence, efficacy and persistence

Author
item BAYMAN, PAUL - University Of Puerto Rico
item MARIÑO, YOBANA - University Of Puerto Rico
item GARCÍA-RODRÍGUEZ, NOELIA - University Of Puerto Rico
item ODUARDO, OMAR - University Of Puerto Rico
item Rehner, Stephen

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2020
Publication Date: 4/1/2021
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/7234648
Citation: Bayman, P., Mariño, Y.A., García-Rodríguez, N.M., Oduardo, O.F., Rehner, S.A. 2021. Local isolates of Beauveria bassiana for control of the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei in Puerto Rico: virulence, efficacy and persistence. Biological Control. 155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104533.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104533

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (CBB) is the most significant insect pest threatening coffee production in Puerto Rico and the insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bb) a leading candidate for its biological control. In this study, a commercial Bb formulation from North America and local Bb strains were evaluated for their pathogenicity to CBB in the laboratory and in the field on coffee farms. In the laboratory, several local Bb isolates and mixtures of isolates were as virulent as the commercial isolate. In field trials, both the commercial and the two local isolates significantly reduced CBB damage, with one local isolate being more effective than the others. DNA genotyping demonstrated that local isolates often persist at high frequency following application. In contrast, the commercial isolate generally did not persist, possibly because it may not be adapted to the warm, humid environment of Puerto Rico. The research reported here will be used by insect pathologists, insect mycologists and coffee producers worldwide.

Technical Abstract: The coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (CBB) is a major pest of coffee, and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bb) is used worldwide for its biological control. Commercial formulations of Bb are sprayed on coffee, but local isolates of Bb may also provide some level of natural control. We compared selected local Bb isolates from CBB-infested coffee fruits in Puerto Rico against the commercial strain, GHA, derived from Mycotrol®. Isolates were tested for their virulence toward CBB in vitro. Two local isolates and the commercial isolate were sprayed on coffee plants in the field, and percent CBB infected, percent fruits with CBB damage, and number of CBB per fruit were surveyed over eight weeks in three consecutive years. Genotypes of Bb isolates in the field were discriminated with microsatellites to determine if isolates persisted after application. Several local isolates and mixtures of isolates were as virulent in vitro as the commercial isolate. In the field, all isolates significantly reduced CBB damage; one local isolate was more successful than the others. Genetic structure of local Bb populations varied from field to field and from year to year. Local isolates persisted; the commercial isolate did not, except in one plot. The commercial isolate may not be adapted to the warm, humid environment of coffee farms. Local isolates and combinations of isolates can provide more effective control, although current regulations preclude their use.