Sensibility of isolates of entomopathogenic fungi to solar radiation, ultraviolet rays and temperature

Abstract

This study aimed to access the sensibility of isolates of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. to the effect of solar and ultraviolet radiation and temperature. Conidia were exposed for various periods to the rays from a solar simulator at various irradiances, and to light germicidal ultraviolet rays. Conidia of the isolate of M. anisopliae were also exposed to temperatures of 19.5, 24.2 and 31.0ºC and the isolate of B. bassiana to 19.4, 20.8 and 28.3ºC, and also to 18.7, 23.8 and 30.9ºC. The germination of conidia was evaluated by the viability test. The fungal isolates showed to be very sensitive to the solar simulator and ultraviolet rays. Germination of both was significantly decreased starting from 30 minutes of exposure to the rays of the solar simulator. The most severe effect was evidenced by the isolate of B. bassiana with great reduction in conidia germination in all the tested irradiances. Sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation was also great, showing a marked reduction in the germination of M. anisopliae (38.2%) and B. bassiana (65%) conidia after 30 seconds of exposure. The temperature affected the viability of both fungi. Temperatures ranging of 23.8 to 31ºC favor the germination of conidia while temperatures around 20ºC constrained germination.