The effect of Bacillus species on the response of common bean to Tetranychus urticae (Acari : Tetranychidae)‎ infestation

Abstract EN

The alternative of chemical pesticides and bio-pesticides are now widely used to preserve the environment and prevent the spread of pests.

In this study, two bacterial isolates well known for their ability to work as bio-control agent as well as plant growth promoting bacteria were tested as bio-pesticides against Tetranychus urticae (Koch.) (Acari: Tetranychidae).

The foliar spray of common bean plants with the bacterial strains, phylogenetically relevant to Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, led to a significant decrease in T.

urticae population by 37% after 3 days of treatment, a result that was supported by GC-MS analysis of the metabolites of both bacteria which indicated the presence of different phthalate derivatives as major constituents.

On the other hand, the bacterial treatment led to a significant increase in total soluble carbohydrates, proteins and chlorophylls compared with the control indicating the ability of these isolates to alleviate the mites affect as a result of their plant growth promoting activity.

Our results also, indicated the possibility of using these bacterial isolates as potential bio-control agents for T.

urticae.