Screening and virulence of Iranian isolates of Beauveria bassiana for potential management of Sunn Pest (Eurygaster integriceps Puton) in relation to cold activity

Abstract

Environmental abiotic factors, such as low temperatures, restrict the application of entomopathogenic fungi well-known biological control agents against agricultural pests. Among 60 Iranian isolates collected in Central Iran that were exposed to cold stress, four isolates were identified as potential candidates for further investigation. One hundred percent of the conidia of these four isolates germinated and subsequently produced conidia. Their virulence against Sunn Pest (Eurygaster integriceps Puton) varied between isolates. After applying cold stress (4 °C), Vesh 1-8 isolate with sporulation of 6.5 × 10 7 conidia mL-1, 50% mortality and LT in 3/4 days was the most cold-tolerant isolate. Cold-active germination and growth of the biocontrol fungal isolates are important to industrialize the products with a high potential against target pests in different environmental conditions.

Keywords

• beauveria bassiana
• cold activity
• sunn pest
• eurygaster integriceps
• iran