Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi represent the pinnacle of efficacy among biological control agents when combating insect pests within natural ecosystems, combating them without altering the environment. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the morphology, physiology, and pathogenicity of native isolates of Metarhizium sp. isolated from soil samples from the province of Rodriguez de Mendoza. Eighteen native isolates of Metarhizium sp. were isolated and characterized. Colony coloration varied between yellow-gray, white, brown, and olive, with feathery or wavy edges. As for radial growth, the highest averages were obtained by isolates LLM-M2 and TOR-M16, with 43.15 mm and 42.85 mm, respectively. Conidia production at 15 days was higher for isolate LLM-M2 with 9.8 × 107 conidia/mL; in the percentage of germination at 14 h, the treatment that reached 100% germination was TOR-M16. Isolate CMR-M7 reached 97.49% mycelial growth percentage at 288 h, being the best result; in the percentage of mortality in CBB adults, the treatments that reached 100% were TOR-M9, TOR-M16, and MNR-M1. In general, the results demonstrate the entomopathogenic potential of native isolates of Metarhizium sp. acting as biocontrol agents of Hypothenemus hampei, being a low-cost, easily accessible, and environmentally friendly alternative.
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