Abstract
• Aspergillus oryzae achieved 87.6% mortality of subterranean termites in Tanzanian fields • Termite control efficacy of A. oryzae increased significantly with application dose • A. oryzae formulation attracted key pollinators Andrena vicina and Apis mellifera • A. oryzae treatment improved coffee plant growth and overall crop vigor • First field evidence of A. oryzae as a sustainable termite biocontrol in East Africa Subterranean termites pose significant economic and food loss during production requiring intensive use of pesticides that affect crop quality and market hence necessitating effective and sustainable biocontrol strategies for management. This study evaluated the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus oryzae Isolate; VB – MG938648 in controlling subterranean termites on crops. A field trial was conducted from April to June 2024 in different zones of Tanzania. All treatments were applied once using a 20L knapsack pump fitted with fan spray nozzle which is ideal narrow calibrated to distribute liquid in all parts including flat surface of plant and undersides of the leaf. Application of all treatments was done once a week from 1730h m. The results showed significant termite mortality rate ranging from 71.2% to 87.6% across different treatments and locations. The efficacy of Aspergillus oryzae as a biopesticide against subterranean termites in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees was significant high compared to control. The mortality rate was dose dependent where the highest concentration achieved high mortality rate compared to low concentration and control. The study demonstrates the efficacy of Aspergillus oryzae in attracting beneficial insect especially pollinators including; Andrena vicina, Apis mellifera, cruciscispidia chandleri, Hypotrigona gribodoi, Osmia lignaria, Pseudapis usambarae suggesting its potential as a termite biocontrol and increase yield through pollination in coffee plantations, a crop with high economic value in Tanzania. This study suggests the application of biopesticide for control of subterranean termites to reduce crop loss and the impact of chemical pesticides on biodiversity.
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Claims 6
Claim · model-written summary
Aspergillus oryzae caused 71.2% to 87.6% termite mortality across treatments and locations.
- Treatment
- Aspergillus oryzaee1
- Interactor
- subterranean termitesRhinotermitidaee1pest
- Outcome
- termite mortality ratee0
- Value
- 71.2% to 87.6%e0
CoffeaNot reportedComparatorDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The results showed significant termite mortality rate ranging from 71.2% to 87.6% across different treatments and locations.”
e1“The efficacy of Aspergillus oryzae as a biopesticide against subterranean termites in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees was significant high compared to control.”
t0“in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees”
Claim · model-written summary
Aspergillus oryzae had higher termite control efficacy than control on cocoa, macadamia and coffee trees.
- Taxon
- cocoa
Theobroma cacaoe0 - Treatment
- Aspergillus oryzaee0
- Interactor
- subterranean termitesRhinotermitidaee0pest
- Outcome
- efficacye0
- Direction
- highe0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The efficacy of Aspergillus oryzae as a biopesticide against subterranean termites in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees was significant high compared to control.”
Claim · model-written summary
Higher concentration yielded higher termite mortality than low concentration and control.
- Treatment
- highest concentratione0
- Interactor
- subterranean termitesRhinotermitidaee1pest
- Outcome
- mortality ratee0
- Direction
- highe0
- Comparator
- low concentration and controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The mortality rate was dose dependent where the highest concentration achieved high mortality rate compared to low concentration and control.”
e1“The efficacy of Aspergillus oryzae as a biopesticide against subterranean termites in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees was significant high compared to control.”
t0“in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees”
Claim · model-written summary
Aspergillus oryzae attracted beneficial pollinators in coffee plantations.
- Treatment
- Aspergillus oryzaee0
- Interactor
- Andrena vicina
_female_Banff.jpg?width=60)
Andrena vicinae0pollinator - Second interactor
- Apis mellifera
_Apis_mellifera_(female)_-_on_viburnum_tinus_flowers.jpg?width=60)
Apis melliferae0pollinator - Outcome
- attracting beneficial insecte0
- Qualifier
- cruciscispidia chandleri, Hypotrigona gribodoi, Osmia lignaria, Pseudapis usambaraee0
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_female_Banff.jpg?width=500)
_Apis_mellifera_(female)_-_on_viburnum_tinus_flowers.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“The study demonstrates the efficacy of Aspergillus oryzae in attracting beneficial insect especially pollinators including; Andrena vicina, Apis mellifera, cruciscispidia chandleri, Hypotrigona gribodoi, Osmia lignaria, Pseudapis usambarae suggesting its potential as a termite biocontrol and increase yield through pollination in coffee plantations”
Claim · model-written summary
Aspergillus oryzae treatment improved coffee plant growth and crop vigor.
- Treatment
- A. oryzae treatmente0
- Interactor
- A. oryzae
.jpg?width=60)
Aspergillus oryzaee0biocontrol_agent - Outcome
- coffee plant growth and overall crop vigore0
- Direction
- improvede0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“A. oryzae treatment improved coffee plant growth and overall crop vigor”
t0“in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors suggest biopesticide use to control termites and reduce crop loss and pesticide impacts.
- Interactor
- subterranean termitesRhinotermitidaee0pest
- Outcome
- application of biopesticide for control of subterranean termitese0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“This study suggests the application of biopesticide for control of subterranean termites to reduce crop loss and the impact of chemical pesticides on biodiversity.”
t0“in cocoa, macadamia, and coffee trees”