Influence of temperature and humidity on conidial germination and colony growth of entomopathogenic fungi

Abstract

The effect of temperature and humidity on conidial germination and growth performance of four isolates of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from organic environment of Durg District of Chhattisgarh namely; Metarhizium majusas well as from naturally infected ticks namely; Fusarium beomiforme, Aspergillus amstelodami and Beauveria bassiana were studied in Potato Dextrose Agar media at 4 °C, 16 °C, 29 °C, 40 °C temperature and 75% relative humidity. Significant colony diameter was observed as 9.0 cm and 9.0 cm of Fusarium beomiforme, 4.0cm and 4.5cm of Aspergillus amstelodami, 9.0 cm and 9.0 cm of Beauveria bassiana,7.0 cm and 9.0 cm of Metarhizium majus at 16 °C and 29 °C temperature respectively . The lowest growth of fungal isolated was observed at 4 °C followed by 40 °C. The best suitable temperature for conidial germination and growth of entomopathogenic fungi was observed as 29 °C and 75% relative humidity.