Abstract
Conidiobolus thromboides is an entomophthoralean fungus with potential as a biological control agent of aphids. However, its application in biological control is limited due to its formulation requirements. The objective of this study was to develop and optimise a novel air-extrusion method to embed C. thromboides hyphae at high density in alginate pellets. An orthogonal experimental design was used to investigate selected combinations of parameters known to affect hyphal density within pellets. The diameter of pellets produced, and the calculated density of hyphae within them, ranged from 0.18±0.09 to 3.17±0.06mm and from 0.02 to 350.56mg/mm3 respectively. These data were used to predict the optimal parameter combination to deliver the greatest density of hyphae of C. thromboides per pellet: 1% sodium alginate, a 1:2 ratio of hyphae to sodium alginate, an orifice diameter of 0.232mm and an air pressure of 0.05MPa. Pellets made under the optimal conditions predicted produced a mean total of 4.3±0.6×105 conidia per pellet at 100% relative humidity which was significantly greater than the mean total number of conidia produced from infected aphid cadavers of comparable size (9.35±0.85×104) (p<0.001). In conclusion, air-extrusion embedding appears to be a promising method for formulating in vitro-produced hyphae of C. thromboides for use in biological control.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
