Comparison of the effect of oxidant pulses on conidia under culture and free conidia

Abstract

The objectives of sustainable development demand ecosystem-friendly agricultural practices, so the use of entomopathogenic fungi as a technology for pest control is very convenient. Oxidant pulses are an alternative method for improving the quality of conidia that could be implemented in the production chain. However, it has not been determined at what time their implementation could be more convenient, either during the cultivation stages or when the conidia have already been separated from the culture medium. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare for the first time the effect of oxidant pulses on the quality of conidia of entomopathogenic fungi, making a simultaneous evaluation in both conditions (conidia in culture medium vs. free conidia). Using three genera of fungi of common commercial use, under the study conditions it is concluded that it is better to apply the treatment on free conidia of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii. On the contrary, with Cordyceps fumosorosea, it is better to apply the treatment on the conidia that remain in the culture medium.