Potential of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana as an endophyte in cotton

Abstract

Eight isolates of Beauveria bassiana were applied to cotton plant by four inoculation methods viz., seed immersion, seed coating, soil drenching and foliar application to establish B. bassiana as endophyte in cotton. One month later, the cotton plant leaves, stems and roots are sampled to evaluate endophytic fungal colonisation. Samples are cut into multiple sections, surface sterilized and incubated in media. The media is inspected every 2-3 days to observe fungal growth associated with plant sections and occurrence of B. bassiana recorded to estimate the extent of its endophytic colonisation. All the isolates were able to colonise the cotton plant. Among the four methods, plants inoculated by foliar application method recorded highest colonisation followed by soil drenching with no negative effect on plant growth or survival. B. bassiana isolate 8 was the best coloniser followed by B. bassiana 1 and B. bassiana 3. The result of colonization of B. bassiana as endophyte was revealed that, B. bassiana can able to establish as endophyte in cotton plants, causing no harmful effects and might provide an alternative method for biological control.