An-Najah Staff

The objective of the present poster was to summarize the research results obtained during the last five years due to application of biopesticides for protection of the stored grain from insect damage and the fresh produce of fruits and vegetables from postharvest fungal rot infection. Bioprotection of stored grain from insects was achieved by application of effective mycoinsecticides like the entomopathogenic fungi [e.g. Metarhizium anisopliae (Batta 2004c and 2005a; Batta and Abu Safieh 2005) and Beauveria bassiana(Batta 2008)] formulated in novel liquid or dry forms, whereas bioprotection of fresh produce of fruit and vegetables from fungal rot pathogens was obtained by application of effective mycofungicides like antagonistic fungi [e.g. Trichoderma harzianum (Batta 2004a, 2004b, 2005b, 2006 and 2007)] formulated in invert emulsion. Many species of stored grain insects [e.g. Sitophilus oryzae (2004c and 2008), Rhyzopertha dominica (Batta 2005a and 2008) and Tribolium castaneum (Batta and Abu Safieh 2005 and Batta 2008)] and plant pathogens of fresh produce [e.g. Botrytis cinerea (Batta 2004b and 2007), Penicillium expansum (Batta 2004a and 2007),Alternaria alternata (Batta 2005b), Rhizopus stolonifer (Batta 2006 and 2007) and Mucor pyriformis (Batta 2006)] were effectively controlled by application of the above-mentioned biopesticides during the research conducted. It is thus concluded that the above types of biopesticdes could be used successfully in the grain stores and in the containers of fresh produce of fruit and vegetables for bioprotection of these commodities. Moreover, no health or environmental risk that may be associated by application of these types of biopesticides.