Page 81 - C:\Users\am_se\OneDrive - Higher Education Commission\Desktop\FlipBook\

International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/ETERM/20
Evaluation of combined effect of selected rhizobacteria and moringa leaf extract as
bioinsecticide against drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) infestation

1*
Amna Nawaz
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari-Cmpus,
61100 Pakistan
Correspondence: amnanawaz928@gmail.com
Abstract

Agrochemicals specifically insecticides are commonly used in arable as well as in horticulture
crops to combat ever increasing insect infestation. These chemicals persist in the soil,
contaminate food chain and leave drastic effects on the environment. Application of these
insecticides poses extra burden on farmer in the form of increased production cost.
Microorganisms particularly bacteria (Rhizobacteria) produce exopolysaccharides, enzymes
(catalase, protease and chitinase) and other metabolites which have insecticidal activity. These
rhizobacteria may be isolated and used as bio-insecticide to reduce the insect/pest population
and environmental pollution. The objective of present study was to explore the bacteria
inhabiting insecticidal and plant growth promoting activity. Further these bacterial cultures
along with Moringa leaf extract were used to study the transformation of fruit fly pupae into
adult insect. The bacterial isolates were obtained from culture collection of Laboratory of
Microbiology, Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad,
Vehari Campus. These isolates were purified through streak plate method. All the bacterial
isolates were tested for insecticidal activity (protease and chitinase enzyme activity) and plant
growth promoting traits like IAA and phosphate solubilization. The isolates that were tested
positive for enzymatic activities along with different dilutions of moringa leaf extract were
used in insect bioassay test. Results indicated that all the isolates along with moringa leaf
extract at 2% dilution showed better results. Transformation efficiency of fruit fly pupa to adult
was decreased by 60%. Results concluded that the bacterial isolates along with moringa leaf
extract may be used as ecofriendly approach to control the fruit fly infestation.
Keywords: Rhizobacteria; Moringa Leaf; Bioinsecticides; Fruit fly

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

48