Patricia Akua Sitsofe Nyahe, Vincent Yao Eziah, Laith Khalil Tawfeeq Al-Ani, Monica Akumyoungta, Candice Anne Coombes, Drauzio Eduardo Naretto Rangel, Alene Alder-Rangel, Dalia Sukmawati, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo, Mavis Agyeiwaa Acheampong
Chili pepper exports from Ghana are subject to stringent chemical residue regulations in key export destinations. Consequently, microbial biopesticides are urgently needed to complement current nonchemical control options for key pests of chili pepper, particularly the phytosanitary insect, False Codling Moth (FCM). Thus, the search for native entomopathogenic fungi in Ghanaian farms was initiated in 2023. Seven Metarhizium isolates (UGSUHCI, UGJKCS9, UGJKCS10, UGAFMF8, UGAFM F12, UGNAKC1 and UGKAP1), obtained from agricultural soils in Ghana, showed high virulence against the soil-dwelling stages of FCM under laboratory conditions. To facilitate the selection of these virulent isolates for development into a mycoinsecticide for FCM, the UV sensitivity and virulence following UV exposure were investigated for all seven isolates in this study. All isolates exhibited extreme susceptibility to UV radiation in comparison to similar research. Exposure to simulated full-spectrum solar radiation at 0.6 W/m2 for 30 min reduced relative conidial germination by 28–40% 48 h following exposure, while 60 min exposure killed all isolates. High insect mortalities were recorded for four isolates, regardless of UV radiation. The findings suggest that an effective UV-protectant formulation could be required for success in the field against fruit and foliar pests of chili pepper, including those of FCM. Copyright © 2025 Nyahe, Eziah, Al-Ani, Akumyoungta, Coombes, Rangel, Alder-Rangel, Sukmawati, Aidoo and Acheampong.
Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, George, Malaysia; Centre for Biological Control (CBC), Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa; Inbioter – Institute of Biotechnology Rangel, Itatiba, Brazil; Alder’s English Services, São José dos Campos, Brazil; Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia; Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
Research at a Glance
Register to unlock
Topics & SDG Alignment
Register to unlock
Collaboration
Register to unlock
Author Profile (Selected)
Register to unlock
References Overview
Register to unlock
Journal & Source
Register to unlock
Metadata & Integrity
Register to unlock