Evaluation of biological compatibility of Beauveria bassiana with fungicides and botanicals

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin is a soil dwelling necrotrophic fungus and is widely known as white muscardine fungus. In addition to its entomopathogenic properties, this fungus is also being exploited for its other beneficial properties like plant endophytes, antagonists for plant diseases, beneficial rhizosphere colonizers and plant growth promoters (Vega et al., 2009). Different mechanisms involved by Beauveria spp. as a biocontrol agent are antibiosis, competition, mycoparasitism, endophytism and induced systemic resistance (ISR), production of specific or non-specific metabolites like antibiotics, bioactive volatile organic compounds, lytic agents, enzymes and toxic substances which play an important role in pathogenesis. The wide input of chemicals either as sole or in combination are usually expensive having negative impact on the environment and human health which has alarmed the public concern over potential risks caused in the form of health risk, environmental pollution, pesticide resistance, pesticide residue etc (Griffin, 2007). A potential alternative is to the use of bio control agents. The use of biological control methods reduces the reliance on high risk chemicals, eco-friendly in nature and goal for long term sustainability (Howell, 2003). The biological compatibility of B. bassiana was tested with different fungicides such as carbendazim & copper oxychloride and botanicals such as aqueous neem leaf extract, aqueous garlic extract & neem leaf kernel extract. The best pesticide formulation in combination with entomopathogenic fungi to be used in Integrated Pests Management (IPM) programme.