Liquid production of entomopathogenic fungi and ultraviolet radiation and temperature effects on produced propagules

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the liquid culture media for the production of Metarhizium anisopliae (IBCB 425) and Beauveria bassiana (IBCB 66), as well as the tolerance of these seedlings to the ultraviolet action and to the temperature. Twelve treatments composed of combinations between carbon and nitrogen concentrations were assessed. In order to determine the effect of ultraviolet radiation, plates with blastos-pores were exposed to it for 25 and 50 seconds. To determine the temperature efect, blastospores from culture media were exposed to 20, 25, 30 and 35°. For the virulence experiments, caterpillars of Diatraea saccharalis were sprayed with 2 mL of fungal suspension with the aid of a Potter tower. Te best media for M. anisopliae are 16.00 g (carbon) + 7.00 g (nitrogen) and 14.40 g (carbon) + 7.00 g (nitrogen), whereas for B. bassiana: 20.00 g (carbon) + 6.30 g (nitrogen) and 20.00 g (carbon) + 7.00 g (nitrogen). Te longer the exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the smaller the number of colonies. At 35°, there is a significant decrease in the formation of colonies. Te produced seedlings of fungi are pathogenic to D. saccharalis.