In Vitro Efficacy of Native Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Western Flower Thrips Frankliniella Occidentalis (Pergande) of Tomato in Kenya

Tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. is an important crop in Kenya. Arthropod pests are major constraints to its production and farmers rely heavily on synthetic chemicals for control, which increases costs leads pollution of the environment. The objective this study was evaluate effectiveness native Kenyan fungi managing thrips as alternative pesticides. In vitro studies were conducted against Frankliniella occidentalis collected from tomato fields maintained laboratory. isolated soil samples identified based their vegetative reproductive structures. Treatments included fungal isolates a control; replicated four times arranged completely randomized design. effect F. evaluated by treating with concentrations 1.0 x107conidia ml-1. Data mortality recorded daily 10 days after treatment. subjected Analysis Variance (ANOVA) using SAS software version 9.4 test different treatments. Means separated Student Newman-Keuls at P≤0.05. Gliocladium virens, Trichoderma Fusarium solani, oxysporum afroharzianum more virulent causing mortalities above 50%. virens most potent, 62.2% adults 43.8% nymphs x107 conidia findings showed that G. potential candidate development fungal-based bio-pesticide tomato.