Metarhizium Research Articles

Effects of Different Concentrations of Synergists on Sporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae, Metarhizium flavoviride and Beauveria bassiana

Effects of Different Concentrations of Synergists on Sporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae, Metarhizium flavoviride and Beauveria bassiana

Аналіз ризосферного мікробіому цукрової кукурудзи за впливу хімічних і біологічних протруйників

У статті представлено результати впливу хімічних і біологічних протруйників на кількісний склад мікробіому ризосфери цукрової кукурудзи протягом її вегетації. Показано, що за використання хімічних препаратів у ризосфері рослин на порядок знижується кількість амоніфікаторів та мікроскопічних грибів у першій половині вегетаційного періоду культури. Вплив ксенобіотиків на вміст актиноміцетів, олігонітрофілів та педоторофів є менш токсичним. У порівнянні з контрольним варіантом вміст даних мікроорганізмів знижувався на 50-75 %, при цьому змін зазнає не лише кількісний, а й якісний склад ризосферної мікрофлори. У той же час досліджувані пестициди не впливали на вміст актиноміцетів і оліготрофів. По мірі розвитку рослин негативний вплив хімічних протруйників на мікрофлору ґрунту поступово нівелювався. Відбувалося відновлення складу ризосферної мікробіоти у кожній умовній функціональній групі мікроорганізмів і до завершення вегетації кукурудзи мікробний ценоз повертався до свого первинного кількісного і якісного складу. Застосування мікробіологічних засобів захисту не призводило до змін чисельності чи дисбалансу у складі ґрунтової мікробіоти. Її кількісний та якісний склад відповідав контрольному варіанту.

Estudo comparativo de bioinseticidas a base de Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) no controle de Mahanarva fimbriolata (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

A cigarrinha-das-raízes Mahanarva fimbriolata é uma das principais pragas em cana-de-açúcar e tem causado sérios prejuízos. Objetivou-se avaliar a patogenicidade de diferentes bioinseticidas à base do fungo entomopatogênico Metarhizium anisopliae sobre ninfas de cigarrinhas. Cinco ninfas de 4º instar foram colocadas em placas de Petri contendo folha de cana higienizada. Os bioinseticidas Metarriz®; Metarril®; M. anisopliae JCO®; Metiê® e Gr-Inn CE® foram aplicados sobre as ninfas e folhas de cana com pressão de 15 libras.pol-2 e mantidas à temperatura de 25±1 °C, UR de 70±10% e fotofase de 12h. Foram calculadas a mortalidade acumulada, mortalidade corrigida pela fórmula de Abbott para o 3º dia após pulverização e submetidas à análise de variância pelo teste F, Tukey a P ≤ 0,05, e TL50 (tempo letal). Os bioinseticidas Metarril®, Metarriz® e Gr-Inn CE® apresentaram 91,7, 87,5 e 84,2% de mortalidade corrigida e 93,3, 90,0 e 86,7% de mortalidade acumulada. O bioinseticida Metarriz® apresentou a maior mortalidade com menor TL50 (0,9 dias) no primeiro dia, no segundo dia o Metarriz® e Metarril® obtiveram mortalidades de 86,7 e 80%, respectivamente. No terceiro, quarto e quinto dia os bioinseticidas apresentaram patogenicidade acima de 70%.

Avaliação de fungos no controle da mosca-das-frutas na preservação do mercado brasileiro de frutas

O controle biológico, com a utilização de fungos entomopatogênicos, tem sido umas das promissoras alternativas no controle de moscas-das-frutas. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a patogenicidade dos fungos entomopatogênicos das espécies Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. e Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) em larvas de 2º e 3º instar, pupas e adultos da mosca-das-frutas Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae). O experimento foi conduzido nos Laboratórios de Zoologia de Invertebrados e de Fitopatologia do Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, no município de Areia - PB. Neste estudo foram utilizados dois isolados, Metarhizium anisopliae IDCB425 e Beauveria bassiana IDCB66, em diferentes concentrações. Verificou-se que o potencial de infecção de ambos isolados é maior em larvas de 2º e 3º ínstares e de adultos de C. capitata, do que em pupas. A taxa de mortalidade de C. capitata aumenta à medida que as suspensões se tornam mais concentradas. O isolado de IDCB66 de B. bassiana é mais eficiente à C. capitata, que o isolado IDCB425 de M. anisopliae.

Efeito de produtos fitossanitários utilizados na cultura da mandioca sobre aspectos biológicos de fungos entomopatogênicos

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a interação de produtos fitossanitários comerciais registrados ou em processo de registro para uso na cultura da mandioca, sobre aspectos biológicos dos fungos Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae em condições de laboratório. Os produtos testados foram Actara®, Callisto®, Cipermetrina®, Curryon®, Fusilade®, Gaucho®, Nomolt®, Poquer®, Standark Top® e Tiger®, e avaliou-se a ação destes sobre os parâmetros germinação, unidade formadora de colônias (UFC), crescimento vegetativo e produção de conídios. Os dados obtidos dos diferentes parâmetros biológicos foram analisados, e a compatibilidade entre os produtos e os fungos foi baseada no cálculo de toxicidade proposto por índice biológico. Houve resposta diferenciada dos fungos em relação aos produtos testados, B. bassiana foi compatível com todos, exceto Fusilade®. Já para M. anisopliae os produtos Gaucho®, Poquer® e Cipermetrina® foram considerados moderadamente tóxicos, enquanto os demais produtos foram compatíveis.

Microbial biopesticides in agroecosystems

Microbial biopesticides include several microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, baculoviruses, and nematode-associated bacteria acting against invertebrate pests in agro-ecosystems. The biopesticide sector is experiencing a significant growth and many discoveries are being developed into new biopesticidal products that are fueling a growing global market offer. Following a few decades of successful use of the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and a few other microbial species, recent academic and industrial efforts have led to the discovery of new microbial species and strains, and of their specific toxins and virulence factors. Many of these have, therefore, been developed into commercial products. Bacterial entomopathogens include several Bacillaceae, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Yersinia, Burkholderia, Chromobacterium, Streptomyces, and Saccharopolyspora species, while fungi comprise different strains of Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium, Lecanicillium, Hirsutella, Paecilomyces, and Isaria species. Baculoviruses are species-specific and refer to niche products active against chewing insects, especially Lepidopteran caterpillars. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) mainly include species in the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema associated with mutualistic symbiotic bacteria belonging to the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus. An updated representation of the current knowledge on microbial biopesticides and of the availability of active substances that can be used in integrated pest management programs in agro-ecosystems is reported her.

Prospects of entomopathogens in post-harvest integrated pest management:

In these exploratory experiments, entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi were investigated for the management of the populations of postharvest insect pests. Nematodes were screened for pathogenicity to Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), while nematodes and fungi were investigated for virulence to the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky). Adults and larvae of P. interpunctellea were screened for susceptibility to the following six nematodes: Heterorhabitis bacteriophora Poinar (HP88, Lewiston and Oswego strains); H. indica Poinar, Karunakar and David (Homl strain); H. marelatus Liu and Berry (Point Reyes strain); H. megidis Poinar, Jackson, and Klein (UK211 strain); and H. zealandica Poinar (NZH3 strain). The nematodes that had the highest virulence to larvae and adults of P. interpunctellea were H. indica, H. megidis, and H. marelatus. Six strains of nematodes were studied, namely H. bacteriophora, H. indica, H. georgiana (K22), Steinernema feltiae SN and S. carpocapsae. All strains of fungi, Beauveria bassiana (GHA) and Metarhizium brunneum (F52) were evaluated for infectivity to adults of S. zeamais. The two strains of Steinernematidae nematodes and a strain of fungus, B. bassiana were found to cause significant mortality of the weevils compared to the rest of the entomopathogens and the control. To demonstrate the practical application of entomopathogens, wettable dust of B. bassiana were dispensed on jute bags after which weevils were exposed to the treated surfaces for 30 min. The exposed weevils recorded between 90 to 100% mortality 14-d after exposure. Additional study demonstrated that the parasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) could be integrated with entomopathogenic nematodes. These experiments demonstrate the potential usefulness of entomopathogens in the management of stored product Lepidopteran and Coleopteran pests.

First reports of Zoophthora radicans (Entomophthoraceae) and Metarhizium rileyi (Clavicipitaceae) as pathogens of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Argentina

Fil: Manfrino, Romina Guadalupe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores; Argentina

Erratum to: Genetic basis of destruxin production in the entomopathogen Metarhizium robertsii

The online version of the original article can be found underdoi:10.1007/s00294-012-0368-4.B. Giuliano Garisto Donzelli (&) S. B. Krasnoff D. M. GibsonBiological Integrated Pest Management Research Unit,Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health,USDA-ARS, 538 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USAe-mail: bdd1@cornell.eduY.-S. MoonBoyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research,Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USAPresent Address:Y.-S. MoonDepartment of Horticulture and Life Science,Yeungnam University, 214-1 Dae-dong,Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsan 712-749, Republic of KoreaA. C. L. ChurchillDepartment of Plant Pathology and Plant–Microbe Biology,Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Production and purification of chitinase by Metarhizium anisopliae Isolated from soil

Univ Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho UN, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Effects of carbon and nitrogen sources and ratio on the germination, growth and sporulation characteristics of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana isolates.

The entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana are ubiquitous and widespread with well documented broad-spectrum myco-pesticidal effects. It has been reported that nutrient source is an integral determinant of growth and virulence of entomopathogenic fungi. Nutrient based studies also impart light towards the identification of most commendable media for laboratory assays as well as selection of the tolerant isolates. With such a perspective, an in-vitro study was undertaken to evaluate conidial germination, mycelial growth and spore yield of fourteen M. anisopliae and seventeen B. bassiana isolates and the effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources on these characteristics were studied. The different isolates showed significant variation with respect to the differing preference for the nutrient sources. From this study it was inferred that isolate UM2 (M. anisoplaie) and AB1 (B. bassiana) exhibited commendable growth potentials on almost all the nutrient sources studied, and were basically more robust isolates and holds high affirmations for commercial usage as biopesticides. Key words: Metarhizium anisopliae, nutrition, germination, growth, sporulation,Beauveria bassiana.

Laboratory Evaluation of Four Fungal Pathogens against the Teak Defoliator, Hyblaea puera (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae)

Effect of four entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and Metarhizium anisopliae , isolated from different host insects, was tested in the laboratory against the teak defoliator, Hyblaea puera (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae) to assess their virulence and efficiency. Five different concentrations, 2x10 6 , 4x10 6 , 6x10 6 , 8x10 6 and 1x10 7 conidia ml -1 were directly and indirectly applied onto third instar larvae of H. puera . All the four fungi tested under both application methods were pathogenic to H. puera with higher efficiency in direct application than indirect application. At 9 days after exposure, the mean per cent mortality obtained was 100, 93.02, 93.02 and 66.74%, respectively, for B. bassiana , B. brongniartii , P. fumosoroseus and M. anisopliae at the highest concentration of 1 x 10 7 conidia ml -1 in direct application. Mortality of the larvae varied according to the concentration of conidia, method of application and fungi. The lowest LC 50 (1.89 x 10 6 conidia ml -1 ) and LT 50 (91.18 hr) values obtained for B. bassiana in direct application showed that B. bassiana was more pathogenic to H. puera than the other three fungi.

Susceptibility of redheaded cockchafer <i>Adoryphorus couloni</i> in New Zealand to <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> strain DATF001 (Chaferguard)

The Australian pasture pest Adoryphorus couloni (redheaded cockchafer RHCC) continues to slowly spread from the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula through Christchurch towards productive agricultural land on the Canterbury Plains There are currently no products chemical or biological registered in New Zealand to control this pest In Christchurch several parks used extensively for human recreation were badly damaged by RHCC grubs in the autumn/early winter of 2008 and had to be treated with chemical insecticides (diazinon) Laboratory trials were thus carried out to assess the susceptibility of New Zealand populations of RHCC to a microbial biocontrol agent Metarhizium anisopliae DATF001 (ChaferGuard) registered in Australia Fungal activity was directly influenced by temperature and mode of application Infection and mortality occurred faster at 20C than 15C High mortality levels (90100 after 7 weeks) were obtained when larvae were treated by topical application (105 conidia/grub) or exposure to the dry ChaferGuard formulation in soil; >80 of the cadavers in these treatments were mycosed Direct incorporation of conidia into soil was the least effective treatment Grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) was unaffected by the fungus This trial confirmed the efficacy of DATF001 and its potential for use against New Zealand populations of RHCC

Identification of fungal pathogens of the spider mites, Tetranychus neocaledonicus André and Tetranychus urticae Koch from natural associations and through artificial inoculations.

In an effort to identify fungal pathogens of two economically important phytophagous mites, viz. the vegetable spider mite, TetranychuS neocaledonicus Andre and the two-spotted spider mite, T. urticae Koch, the species naturally associated were studied before experimentally testing other known acaro- and entomofungal species for pathogenicity towards the two. A comprehensive search in and around Bangalore during 2001-2005 indicated the recurrent association of many fungal genera, which were classified as acaropathogens, non-specific entomopathogens and opportunistic or minor pathogens. The entomophthoralean fungus, Neozygites floridana (Weiser&Muma) Remaudire&Keller and several species of the hyphomycetous genera, Acremonium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Lecanicillium, Paecilomyces and Penicillium were found on field-collected as well as greenhouse- and laboratory-reared tetranychids. Koch's postulates were proved wherever required to confirm pathogenicity. When artificially inoculated with nine pathogens from other mite and insect hosts, only Hirsutella thompsonii Fisher, H. thompsonii var. synnematosa Samson, McCoy&O'Donnell. L. lecanii (Zimm.) Zare&W. Gams and L. psalliotae (Treschew) Zare&W. Gams caused death by way of pathogenicity. Acremonium sp., Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin and Sporothrix fungorum de Hoog&de Vries, despite causing mortality, could not be recovered from dead mites, thus suggesting that mortality alone did not guarantee pathogenic host-fungus interaction. Nomuraea (Farlow) Samson was unable to cause mortality in either of the test mites.

Microbial Control of Sucking Pests Using Entomopathogenic Fungi

Sucking pests cause serious damage to several agricultural, horticultural and plantation crops either by direct feeding or by transmitting plant viral diseases. Since sucking pests likc plant and leaf hoppers, aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, thrips and mites to have developed resistance to insecticides, biological control using microbial pathogens, particularly funga1 pathogens like Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae , and Verticillium lecanil , has been explored for a number of pests. Several commercial formulations based on entomopathogenic fungi were developed for the control of sucking pests in different countries. Mycotrol and Botanigard based on B. bassiana, Mycotal based on V. lecanii and PFR-97 and Pae-Sin based on Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were developed for the control of whiteflies, aphids and thrips in USA, Europe and Brazil. In India, Fusarium pallidoroseum was found effective in controlling cowpea aphid ( Aphis craccivora ) in Kerala. Hirsllte thompsinii has been tried against the coconut eriophyid mite, but not found very promising. The wetland ecosystems like the rice fields as well as the sugarcane ecosystem have been found ideal for the use of M. anisopliae against sucking pests. M. anisopliae and B. bassiana were found to infect the sugarcane woolly aphid ( Ceratovacuna lanigera ) but these were also pathogenic to potential predators like Dipha aphidivoru and Micromus and hence cannot be recommended. Apart from these fungi, entomophthoralean fungi like Erynia neoaphidis, Neozygifes fresenii and Zoophthora radicans are reported to cause epizootics in several aphid species in nature. Fungal pathogens occur very widely in nature and there is a wide scope for isolating strains of fungal pathogens with enhanced virulence as well as desired cultural characteristics. Fungal formulations developed as microbial insecticides should possess good fluid stability and shelf life. Oil formulations have been found to be more effective against target pests even under low RH and aso possess a good shelf life. Since the muscardine fungi are pathogenic to beneficial insects like silk worms, honey bees, pollinators, as well as predators like coccinellids, utmost care should be exercised. Other pathogens like entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have been considered for the management of sucking pests but not with much success. The chance of acquisition of bacterial and viral pathogens into the gut of the sucking pests is limited and hence these pathogens have not been considered for the manllgement of sucking pests. Infectivity of protozoans to sucking pests has been rarely reported. The current status of microbial control of sucking pests and the future prospects are reviewed in this paper.

Aerial treatment of the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes).

Between October 1999 and April 2000, nearly 4000 ha of nymphal bands and adult swarms of Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) were aerially treated using a ULV oil formulation of strain FI-985 of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum. During the mild weather (maxima 22-30 degrees C) of spring (October), there was little change in nymphal bands during the first week but at all doses between 25-100 g (1-4 x 10(12) conidia) ha(-1), the bands rapidly declined 9-12 days after treatment reaching > 90% mortality by 14 days. Metarhizium persisted for some time as there was 50% mortality of locusts fed vegetation collected from the treated blocks seven days after treatment. Persistence was confirmed by the high mortality of bands that invaded from untreated areas and of nymphs that hatched on the plot five to seven days after treatment, though mortality was then delayed until early in the third week. During summer (January), temperatures were high (maxima 36-42 degrees C), and at all doses between 25 and 125 g (1-5 x 10(12) conidia) ha(-1), there was a rapid decline seven to ten days after treatment. By 12-14 days, there was a > 90% decline in numbers in most blocks which was confirmed by helicopter surveys two weeks after treatment that found very few adults within or near treated areas. Mortality was delayed in the high dose where there were blockages of spray equipment during treatment. The clear demonstration that Metarhizium can suppress small local populations of C. terminifera led to the limited operational use of Metarhizium on an organic farm and in a National Park where nearly 2500 ha of bands and swarms were treated. Continued research is needed to develop a commercially viable product so that Metarhizium can form a significant part of a programme of integrated pest management of locusts in Australia.

Sensitivity of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria Bassiana and Metarhizium Anisopliae to Selected Fungicides

Eight commercial fungicides were evaluated in vitro on entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. A pesticide-YPD agar disc method (7 days at 25℃) was used to study the effect of pesticides on the mycelial growth and sporulation of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae. Among the fungicides, propineb (Pro), imazalil (Ima), and metalaxyl + mancozeb (MM), were fungicidal to B. bassiana and M. anisopliae for all the isolates at all tested concentrations. Bupirimate (Bup) at the tested concentrations showed moderate inhibition to B. bassiana but not to M. anisopliae. Zineb caused various degrees of inhibited growth and conidial production for the tested isolates. All the fungi showed a little growth and sporulation when they grew on Iprodione-YPD agar plates. Thiophenate methyl + streptomycin (TSM) was toxic to M. anisopliae and B. bassiana; however, a little growth and sporulation occurred when the fungi were transferred to fungicide-free YPD plates (except M. anisopliae iso. 195). All the concentrations of metalaxyl + copper oxychloride (MCO) caused inhibition to B. bassiana and M. anisopliae.

Pathogenicity of Three Entomogenous Fungi against Insect Pests of Sugarcane

Pathogenicity of three entomogenous fungi, Beauveria bassiana , Fusarium oxysporum and Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae were conducted against eleven different insect pests of sugarcane in the laboratory. Of these, B. bassiana was found most pathogenic to larvae of Chilo auricilius , Chilo infuscatellus and Sesamia inferens ; nymphs and adults of Cavelerius sweeti , adults of Phytoscaphus sp. and Astychus lateralis , and grubs of Holotrichia consanguinea . Metarhizium anisopliae was found pathogenic to larvae of C. auricilius , C. infuscatellus and S. inferens ; adults of Phytoscaphus sp. and A. lateralis , and adults and nymphs of Pyrilla perpusilla . Fusarium oxysporum was found effective against larvae of C. auricilius , C. infuscatellus and S. inferens ; and adults and nymphs of P. perpusilla .

Distribution of Milky Disease and Green Muscardine Disease of White Grub in Central Gujarat

Bacillus popilliae var holotrichiae and Metarhizium anisopliae var anisopliae were found well distributed in three districts of Central Gujarat (23°N, 73°S)causing milky disease and green muscardine disease respectively, in Holotrichia consanguinea populations. The incidence of milky disease varied, from 2.0 to 36.0 per cent and green muscardine disease 1.9 to 15.3 per cent in different villages durlna 1985-87. A few arubs were also found simultaneously infected by both the pathogens.