Vol. 11, Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
BD Ramteke, KD Thakur, SB Bramhankar, SP Gawande, SS Isokar and Diksha Ramteke

Abstract:
Lecanicillium species are important entomopathogenic fungi ubiquitously distributed in soils, although these fungi are mainly isolated from insects. Lecanicillium species have a wide host range including insects, phytopathogenic fungi and plant-parasitic nematodes. The test fungus was isolated from soil by serial dilution method and from infected sucking pest. Detailed morphological studies of effective isolate (Vl2) show that the fungus grew well in SDAY medium. To test the pathogenicity for isolated Lecanicillium spp., a bioassay test was conducted against cotton aphids. The efficacy of Lecanicillium spp. against A. gossypii was determined by using the detached leaf method. Highest insect mortality was recorded at 0.25×10⁷ conidia/ml, least mortality recorded at 0.100×10⁷ conidia/ml after 2, 4, 6 and 8 days after treatment. Four different semi synthetic media namely PDA, SDAY, CMA and MEA were evaluated for better growth of Lecanicillium spp. and it was observed that SDAY medium showed highest growth (53.00 mm) of isolates. Compatibility of Lecanicillium spp. with commonly used insecticides was tested. Acetamiprid was seen non-toxic to Lecanicillium spp. as no significant reduction in radial growth was noticed.