Healthy roots are the foundation of a productive tea plantation. While leaf-feeding insects are easily noticed, soil-dwelling pests such as white grubs, termites, root-feeding beetle larvae, and cutworms often remain hidden underground, causing severe damage before symptoms become visible.

These pests feed on young roots and feeder roots, reducing the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients. As a result, tea bushes show symptoms such as poor growth, yellowing leaves, reduced flushing, wilting during hot weather, and lower yields.

Metarhizium anisopliae is a beneficial entomopathogenic fungus that naturally infects and kills soil insects. It provides long-lasting biological control of underground pests while preserving beneficial soil microorganisms. Regular application helps tea growers protect root systems, reduce pest populations, and improve plantation productivity.

What is Metarhizium anisopliae?

Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring soil fungus used as a biological insecticide. It attacks insects through direct contact, penetrates the insect body, multiplies internally, and eventually kills the pest without leaving harmful chemical residues.

Unlike conventional insecticides, Metarhizium remains active in the soil for extended periods under suitable moisture conditions, providing continuous protection against soil-dwelling insects.

Why Tea Farmers Should Use Metarhizium anisopliae

Soil insects often damage roots before farmers notice visible symptoms. By the time above-ground damage appears, significant root loss may have already occurred.

Using Metarhizium as a preventive biological treatment protects roots throughout the growing season.

Major Benefits

• Controls white grubs
• Controls termites
• Manages root-feeding larvae
• Protects feeder roots
• Reduces underground pest populations
• Safe for beneficial soil organisms
• Reduces chemical insecticide use
• Supports organic tea cultivation
• Improves root health
• Increases tea productivity

Major Soil Pests Controlled

Metarhizium anisopliae is highly effective against many economically important underground pests.

It helps manage:

• White grubs
• Termites
• Beetle larvae
• Root-feeding insects
• Cutworms
• Soil caterpillars
• Root-boring insects
• Various soil-dwelling insect larvae

How Metarhizium anisopliae Works

Metarhizium controls insects through a natural infection cycle.

Contact with the Insect

Fungal spores attach to the insect's outer body.

Germination

Under moist soil conditions, spores germinate and penetrate the insect cuticle.

Internal Colonization

The fungus grows inside the insect and consumes internal tissues.

Insect Death

The insect stops feeding, becomes inactive, and eventually dies.

Natural Spread

New fungal spores develop on infected insects, helping spread biological control within the pest population.

Application Methods

Soil Drenching

Apply liquid Metarhizium around the root zone where soil insects are active.

Soil Application with Organic Manure

Mix powder formulation with compost or well-decomposed farmyard manure and apply around the base of tea bushes.

Pit Treatment

Apply during new planting to protect young roots from early pest attack.

Drip Irrigation

Liquid formulations may be applied through drip systems where suitable.