Testing Virulence of Different Species of Insect Associated Fungi against Yellow Mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Their Potential Growth Stimulation to Maize

Evaluation of new strain (AAD16) of Beauveria bassiana recovered from Japanese rhinoceros beetle: Effects on three coleopteran insects

A strain (AAD16) of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was isolated from field-collected Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Its virulence was compared with another strain (ARP14) recovered from a cadaver of Riptortus pedestris (F.) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) focusing on its effect on three coleopteran, i.e., Tenebrio molitor L., A. dichotoma, and Monochamus alternatus Hope. The LT50 value of T. molitor for two larval sizes, i.e., 16-18 and 22-24 mm, was 15.3 and 19.4% lower for strain AAD16 compared to strain ARP14, respectively. Furthermore, after 8 and 10 days of exposure, the mycosis rate of strain AAD16 was 1.3 and 1.2 times higher than that of strain ARP14 in the 16-18 and 22-24 mm larval sizes, respectively. The LT50 for M. alternatus larvae was 23.2% lower on strain AAD16 than on strain ARP14. In addition, the LT50 for M. alternatus adults was 47.1% lower for strain AAD16 compared to control. The mycosis rate of strain AAD16 on M. alternatus larvae was 1.8 higher than that of strain ARP14 after 120 hours of exposure. The strain AAD16 also showed higher larval mortality (90%) for A. dichotoma compared to strain ARP14 (45.0%) at 28 days after exposure. These results suggest that B. bassiana AAD16 can be a potential biological control agent against coleopteran pests.

Trichoderma: a multipurpose, plant-beneficial microorganism for eco-sustainable agriculture

Trichoderma is a cosmopolitan and opportunistic ascomycete fungal genus including species that are of interest to agriculture as direct biological control agents of phytopathogens. Trichoderma utilizes direct antagonism and competition, particularly in the rhizosphere, where it modulates the composition of and interactions with other microorganisms. In its colonization of plants, on the roots or as an endophyte, Trichoderma has evolved the capacity to communicate with the plant and produce numerous multifaceted benefits to its host. The intricacy of this plant-microorganism association has stimulated a marked interest in research on Trichoderma, ranging from its capacity as a plant growth promoter to its ability to prime local and systemic defence responses against biotic and abiotic stresses and to activate transcriptional memory affecting plant responses to future stresses. This Review discusses the ecophysiology and diversity of Trichoderma and the complexity of its relationships in the agroecosystem, highlighting its potential as a direct and indirect biological control agent, biostimulant and biofertilizer, which are useful multipurpose properties for agricultural applications. We also highlight how the present legislative framework might accommodate the demonstrated evidence of Trichoderma proficiency as a plant-beneficial microorganism contributing towards eco-sustainable agriculture.

Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection

Food production, along with the constant demand for higher yields, is an imperative of contemporary agricultural production [...].