| Title: | Effectiveness of combined biological control in protecting maize from the European corn borer and fungal infections |
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| Authors: | ID Đurić, Anja (Author)
ID Franeta, Filip (Author)
ID Popović, Aleksandra (Author)
ID Tanasković, Maja (Author)
ID Grahovac, Mila (Author)
ID Gašparovski, Jozef (Author)
ID Dunđerski, Dušan (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (542,07 KB)
MD5: 3352878794C8C1EEC1A63DEFBAB02E69
PDF - Presentation file, download (599,31 KB)
MD5: A6A601D0D1A356A2112DB27B4FFF6F5B
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  KIS - Agricultural Institute of Slovenia
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| Abstract: | Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important agricultural crops worldwide, but its production is often threatened by insect pests and pathogenic fungi. The European corn borer (ECB) Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most damaging pests of maize. Its larvae damage maize ears, causing direct yield losses and creating entry points for fungal pathogens, primarily species from the genera Fusarium and Aspergillus. These fungi are major causes of ear rot and can seriously affect grain quality and the safety of its consumption. Biological control represents an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of biological control of the ECB in reducing Fusarium and Aspergillus infections. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with four replications. In addition to the control, the treatments included the application of parasitic wasps of the genus Trichogramma Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), as well as larvae of the predatory green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea Stephens, 1836 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and a combination of both biological agents. The results showed a statistically significant effect of treatments on Aspergillus infections. Plants treated with the combination of parasitic wasps and predators had significantly lower infection rates compared to the control and other treatments, suggesting a synergistic effect in suppressing ECB populations and reducing fungal entry points. Conversely, the treatments had no statistically significant effect on Fusarium infections, likely due to the overall low incidence of Fusarium during the experiment. These results highlight the importance of biological control in reducing damage and preserving maize grain quality. |
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| Keywords: | biological control, European corn borer, fungal infections, maize, biological control, protection maize |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Publication date: | 21.01.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-9 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 63, no. 1 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-29367  |
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| UDC: | 632 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2217-8392 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 274784259 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Soavtorji: Filip Franeta, Aleksandra Popović, Maja Tanasković, Mila Grahovac, Jozef Gašparovski, Dušan Dunđerski;
Opis vira z dne 10. 4. 2026;
Povzetek v srbskem jeziku na koncu članka;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 12.05.2026 |
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| Views: | 42 |
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| Downloads: | 22 |
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