Metarhizium anisopliae for Banana – Control Root Weevil & Pseudostem Weevil

Your banana plants look healthy, but then they start yellowing, failing to fruit, or suddenly toppling over. That could be root weevil or pseudostem weevil. Root weevil larvae feed on the corm and roots, weakening the plant. Pseudostem weevil larvae bore into the pseudostem, creating tunnels that cause collapse. Chemical controls are often ineffective because the larvae are inside the plant or deep in the soil.

Metarhizium anisopliae is your organic answer.

What the research says: A study on the pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae against banana pseudostem weevil found that the fungus is a potential biocontrol agent. Under laboratory conditions, M. anisopliae isolates caused infection and death of the weevil at varying spore concentrations. One isolate exhibited 35.71%, 50.00%, and 64.29% mortality at 1×10⁷, 1×10⁸, and 1×10⁹ spores/ml, respectively. In the field, the same isolate significantly reduced BPW population and caused 65.86% infection on trapped weevils. The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) recommends spraying Metarrhizium anisopliae at 20g per litre of water or 5 ml per litre, covering the leaf axil and pseudostem at 5 months after planting.

How to apply Metarhizium on banana:

Pre‑planting pit treatment (for root weevil prevention):

• Take 200‑250g of Bactostore’s Metarhizium powder per pit

• Mix with 10‑15 kg of well‑decomposed FYM

• Incorporate into the pit soil before planting the sucker

Sucker treatment (before planting):

• Mix 10g of Metarhizium powder (or 10 ml liquid) in 1 litre of water

• Dip the banana sucker or tissue‑culture plantlet for 10‑15 minutes

• Shade dry for 30 minutes before planting

Soil drench for existing plants:

• Mix 200‑250g of powder (or 200‑250 ml liquid) in 10 litres of water

• Drench around the root zone every 2‑3 months

For pseudostem weevil (injection method – KAU method):

• Mix 20g of Metarhizium powder in 1 litre of water (or use 5 ml liquid per litre)

• Using a syringe (without needle), inject 20‑30 ml into each visible borehole on the pseudostem

• Also spray the entire pseudostem with the same solution, covering the leaf axil

• Apply at 5 months after planting

• Repeat after 15 days if weevil activity persists

Farmer testimonial:

“Banana root weevils were causing my plants to topple. After using Bactostore Metarhizium soil drench every 2‑3 months, the weevil damage is almost gone. My bananas are healthier and yield has increased.” – Radhika, Kollam.

Order Metarhizium for your banana garden from Bactostore.

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