Scientists from the University of Freiburg (Switzerland) decided to test a new way to combat the wireworm that destroys the potato crop. The larvae of the click beetle eat holes in the tubers, significantly reducing yields.
In their experiment, the scientists used the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum, which infects insects. It lives in the soil and causes diseases in various insects, parasitizing them. There are about 200 species of insects that can be affected by this fungus, including: Colorado potato beetle, termites and others. Scientists have found that fungal spores can remain viable for up to eight months.
The authors of the study suggest that for the reliable use of the research results in practice, it is necessary to further improve the bio-strategy of plant protection. Unfortunately, so far the desired effect has been achieved only on two experimental fields out of ten: only there it was possible to significantly reduce damage to potatoes.