Molecular characterization of indigenous entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, isolate and its virulence to Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

A fungal culture was isolated with a view to evaluate its potentiality for an effective pest management programme. The fungal culture was characterized at molecular level by using rDNA ITS universal primer. The fungal culture was identified as Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and the ~ 550 bp rDNA-ITS sequence was submitted to the Gene bank and obtained accession number as KR855715. The biological parameters of KR855715 were compared with MTCC strains of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill and evaluate its efficacy against sixth instar of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a major stored grain pest of rice under laboratory condition at temperature 30 ± 1 °C and relative humidity 85–90 %. The biological parameters and efficacy of all these strains were tested at different concentrations viz.., 1 × 107to 1 × 109 conidia/ml. Among these strains, KR855715 showed the highest conidial density (8.13 × 107 conidia/ml) at concentration of 1 × 107 conidia/ml. However, the germination (83.68 %), and mortality (60.00 %) was found to be highest at concentration 1 × 109 conidia/ml.