Beneficial rhizobacteria inoculation on Ocimum basilicum reduces the growth performance and nutritional value of Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract BACKGROUND Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has a significant role in plant–insect interaction. However, the extent of their impact on insects is still not well understood. This investigation was designed to evaluate the role of inoculation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03 on sweet basil ( Ocimum basilucum L.) in the development and nutritional parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda . In addition, the feeding preferences on inoculated and non‐inoculated plants were assessed. RESULTS Spodoptera frugiperda larvae reared with inoculated sweet basil leaves had a strong negative effect on the development of the insect, resulting in lower larval and pupal weights, and a longer period for larval–adult development. Moreover, adult emergence was reduced, but the relative consumption rate (RCR) value was unaffected, thereby revealing no alteration of the palatability. Growth rate and nutritional indicators, such as the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and the efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD), were reduced in larvae reared from treated plants. In the choice test, larvae avoided feeding on inoculated leaves. CONCLUSION The higher occurrence of secondary metabolites in inoculated plants could have been the reason for the reduction of the plant nutritional rate and also for the food selection, since it has been previously reported that GB03 inoculated sweet basil increased the essential oil yield. Therefore, PGPR inoculation could be used as a growth promoter, making it a promising candidate for plant protection programs against insects in aromatic plant production. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.