Impact of Commercial Beauveria bassiana Application on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Insect Pests, Pollinator Densities and Some Growth and Fruit Parameters

Insect pest infestation severely constrains okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) production globally, prompting reliance on chemical insecticides with associated environmental and human health risks. This study evaluated the bio-efficacy of commercial Beauveria bassiana (Fixit-GA™) on pest density, pollinator abundance, agronomic characteristics, and fruit quality. Field trials were conducted across late (2021) and early (2022) growing seasons using a 4×3 factorial Randomized Complete Block Design. Treatments comprised four fungal concentrations (2.00–8.00 kg/ha) and three spray frequencies (weekly to tri-weekly). Weekly application at 8.00 kg/ha exhibited optimal efficacy, significantly (p<0.05) reducing major pest densities ( Podagrica spp., Dysdercus cingulatus , Nezara viridula ) by 78–98% compared to untreated controls. Consequently, fruit damage decreased from 96.7% in controls to 15.47% in treated plots, substantially mitigating relative yield loss. Ecologically, B. bassiana treatment correlated with higher densities of the pollinator Apis mellifera (5.33 vs. 1.00 in control), contrasting with the reduction observed in the predatory coccinellid Cheilomenes lunata . Proximate analysis revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) in nutritional composition (moisture, protein, fiber, ash) between treated and untreated fruits. These findings demonstrate that commercial B. bassiana provides effective pest control while safeguarding pollinator services and food quality, positioning it as a sustainable, ecologically safe alternative to synthetic insecticides in okra production systems.