Evaluation of different media for the mass multiplication of entomopathogenic fungus metarhizium anisopliae (metschn.) sorokin

Abstract

An experiment entitled “Evaluation of different media for mass multiplication of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin” was conducted at the Biocontrol Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Post Graduate Institute, MPKV, Rahuri, Dist: Ahilyanagar (Maharashtra). During the course of study, Seven treatments (substrate) were evaluated in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications during Year, 2024-25 for growth and observations were recorded on 10th, 20th and 30th days after inoculation. Among the different substrates evaluated highest conidial count (6.92 × 10⁸ spores/ml) was observed on wheat substrate followed by maize (6.50 × 10⁸ spores/ml). Combining biological efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the study concludes that wheat is the most reliable substrate because protein and nitrogen content responsible for large-scale, economical production of Metarhizium anisopliae, with maize and rice as viable alternatives for sustainable biocontrol programs.