Alternative Approaches in the Control of Grape Bud Mite Eriophyes vitis (Pgst., 1859) (Acarina: Eriophyidae)

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three different compounds and one beneficial fungus as alternative control agents for Grape Bud mite Eriophyes vitis (Pgst., 1859), which causes significant damage in vineyards, under field conditions. In vineyards identified as infested, various doses of Kaligreen fungicide (82% Potassium Bicarbonate), the Taloromyces funiculosus st976 strain, Pascal+ Copper compound, and traditional wettable sulphur (WP) were applied. The trial was established following the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Standard Pesticide Testing Method for Eriophyes vitis (Grape Leaf Blister Mite) Control. Pre-application leaf scale values for the pest were recorded, and statistical differences among applications were assessed on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 36 post-application. On day 7, Kaligreen and Taloromyces funiculosus st976 strain were found to be significantly more effective against the pest than Pascal applications. By day 14, the T. funiculosus st976 strain, Kaligreen, and traditional wettable sulphur treatments were significantly more effective than the Pascal+ Copper compound. On day 21, T. funiculosus st976 was significantly more effective than traditional sulphur on leaves. By day 28, T. funiculosus st976 and Kaligreen applications were significantly more effective than traditional wettable sulphur. By day 36, Kaligreen was significantly more effective than Pascal+ Copper on leaves. Overall, Taloromyces funiculosus st976 strain and Kaligreen outperformed traditional wettable sulphur and the Pascal +Copper compound in effectiveness. In terms of phytotoxicity, T. funiculosus st976 strain and traditional wettable sulphur did not cause toxicity on leaves, whereas Kaligreen and the Pascal+ Copper compound occasionally caused slight to moderate phytotoxicity. The results of this study contribute to the alternative approaches for integrated pest management (IPM) in vineyards for controlling grape leaf blister mite. Based on literature, this study is the first global record to establish the effectiveness of Taloromyces funiculosus ST976 strain against Eriophyes vitis (Grape Bud Mite).