Characterization and identification of entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi using RAPD-PCR technique

Abstract

Entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi were characterised by RAPD technique, with special attention to evaluate the genetic stability of strains that are used as active ingredients in commercial biopesticides. Strain-specific fingerprints were constructed for Paecilomyces fumosoroseus – strain PFR 97 Apopka, Gliocladium virens – strain GL 21 and Verticillium lecanii – strain MYCOTAL. Genetic stability and homogeneity was confirmed among re-isolates that were obtained from commercial batches of bio-insecticide PFR 97TM 20%WDG and bio-fungicide SoilGardTM12G that had been produced in 1995–1999. RAPD analysis indicated the genetic identity of V. lecanii strains re-isolated from the two different bio-insecticides MYCOTAL<sup>®</sup> and VERTALEC<sup>®</sup>. The usefulness of RAPD technique was demonstrated when P. fumosoroseus strain PFR 97 Apopka was reliably identified after having passed through adults of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus, and by analysis of the relationship between fungi of the genus Gliocladium.