Field evaluation of Habrobracon hebetor and Trichogramma spp. for biological control of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, in cabbage
Abstract
Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is a major constraint to cabbage production, necessitating effective and environmentally compatible biological control strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy, effects on natural enemies, economic performance, and yield relationships of different biological control treatments against P. xylostella in cabbage. All treatments significantly reduced leaf infestation, larval population, and feeding damage compared with the untreated control. Treatment T7 (Trichogramma bactrae + Habrobracon hebetor) consistently provided the greatest suppression, reducing leaf infestation to 12.35%, 9.70%, and 3.98% at 14 days after application following the first, second, and third releases, respectively, compared with 59.88%, 64.40%, and 68.17% in the control. T7 also recorded the lowest mean larval density (0.99 larvae plant-1) and fewest feeding holes (3.62 plant-1), whereas the untreated control had 9.84 larvae plant-1 and substantially greater leaf damage. Importantly, parasitoid treatments did not significantly reduce ladybird beetle or spider populations, indicating compatibility with major predatory arthropods. Treatment T7 also produced the highest marketable yield (87.52 t ha-1), gross return (BDT 1,312,850 ha-1), net return (BDT 1,133,184 ha-1), and benefit–cost ratio (7.3). Regression analysis demonstrated strong associations between yield and healthy leaves (R2 = 83.51%), larval incidence and infected leaves (R2 = 73.8%), larval incidence and yield (R² = 69.5%), and infected leaves and yield (R2 = 49.6%). Overall, T7 effectively suppressed P. xylostella, conserved natural-enemy populations, and improved cabbage yield and economic returns. Therefore, T7 is recommended as an effective, economically viable, and environmentally compatible strategy for managing diamondback moth in cabbage under field conditions.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33804/pp.010.05.6161
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