Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt)
as an Alternative Control of the Cereal Leafminer on Barley under Laboratory and Field Conditions

American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 13: 857-865

Nofal S. Al-Ameiri and Firas A. Al-Zyoud

The cereal leafminer, Syringopais temperatella Led. (Lep., Scythrididae) is one of the major insect pests that attack barely and causes significant damage to the crop. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) against S. temperatella on barley. Experiments were conducted under Laboratory and field conditions using different strains of Bt. The Bt strains were Bt var.israelensis (Bti) and Bt var. kurstaki (Btk-China and Btk-USA), each with three different concentrations.

Results showed that the lowest infestation was obtained at the high concentration of Btk-USA (60.63%) and Bti (40.15%) one and two weeks post Bt spraying, respectively. The highest mortality was significantly recorded

at the higher concentration of Btk-China after 3 days (54.17%) and 5 days (71.43%) of Bt application,respectively. In conclusion, the present study showed that Bt is effective and may be used against S. temperatella.