球孢白僵菌对象虫金小蜂安全性评价和亚致死效应研究

为明确球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana对烟草甲Lasioderma serricorne(Fabricius)幼虫、成虫的致病力以及对象虫金小蜂Anisopteromalus calandrae(Howard)的安全性,本研究采用浸渍法测定球孢白僵菌对烟草甲和象虫金小蜂的LC₁₀、LC₂₅、LC₅₀,以球孢白僵菌亚致死浓度LC₁₀和LC₂₅胁迫象虫金小蜂成虫后,分析其F₁代实验种群生存、发育和繁殖的变化。结果表明：(1)在1×10⁹孢子/mL的球孢白僵菌浓度下,烟草甲幼虫的致死率可达到92.62%,烟草甲成虫的致死率为100.00%,象虫金小蜂成虫的致死率可达98.73%,亚致死浓度LC₁₀和LC₂₅分别为2.125×10⁵和7.114×10⁵孢子/mL。(2)受LC₁₀和LC₂₅胁迫处理象...     

孢悬液浓度和宿主体型大小对球孢白僵菌对松墨天牛幼虫的致病力的影响

【目的】球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana是一种被广泛用于害虫生物防治的生防菌。本研究探讨了孢悬液浓度和宿主体型大小对球孢白僵菌对松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus 幼虫的致病力的影响,旨在为松墨天牛的生物防治提供科学基础。【方法】分别用0.5% 吐温-80(CK)以及1×10⁵, 1×10⁶, 1×10⁷, 1×10⁸和1×10⁹孢子/mL的球孢白僵菌孢悬液接种松墨天牛4龄幼虫,统计接种后15 d内幼虫死亡率和染菌率。同时用最佳浓度(1×10⁹孢子/mL)的球孢白僵菌孢悬液接种体型大小分别为100~150, 200~220, 300~320, 400~420, 500~520和600~650 mg/头的松墨天牛幼虫,测定接种后20 d内幼虫的死亡率和染菌率。【结果】接种1×10⁵~1×10⁹孢子/mL的球孢白僵菌后,松墨天牛4龄幼虫起初活动自如,后在头部出现烧灼状伤并且体色逐渐变红,最后周身长满菌丝。不同浓度下,随球孢白僵菌孢子浓度升高,松墨天牛4龄幼虫校正死亡率和校正染菌率增加。接种1×10⁶~1×10⁹孢子/mL球孢白僵菌孢悬液15 d的松墨天牛4龄幼虫累计校正死亡率均可达到100%,1×10⁷, 1×10⁸和1×10⁹孢子/mL浓度下,松墨天牛达到100%校正死亡率所需时间最少。接种0 (CK), 1×10⁵, 1×10⁶, 1×10⁷, 1×10⁸和1×10⁹孢子/mL球孢白僵菌孢悬液的松墨天牛4龄幼虫校正染菌率在第15天分别为0, 20.00%, 86.67%, 90.00%, 96.67%和100.00%,表现为白僵菌孢子浓度越高,染菌率越高。1×10⁹孢子/mL的接种浓度下,松墨天牛幼虫个体越大,天牛幼虫死亡率和染菌率越高。表现在第20天时,体型大小为100~150, 200~220, 300~320, 400~420, 500~520和600~650 mg/头的幼虫的死亡率分别为76.67%, 76.67%, 66.67%, 93.33%, 100.00%和100.00%,染菌率分别为60.00%, 63.33%, 60.00%, 86.67%, 96.67%和100.00%。【结论】球孢白僵菌悬浮液浓度对松墨天牛幼虫的死亡和侵染有显著影响,表现为随孢子浓度的增加而增加;同时,松墨天牛幼虫个体越大,死亡率和染菌率越高。研究结果对开展利用球孢白僵菌防治松墨天牛具重要借鉴和指导意义。     

粗放经营茶园土壤昆虫病原真菌种群多样性及时间生态位

本文系统调查了粗放经营状态下黄山毛峰茶园根际土壤昆虫病原真菌的种群多样性及其时间生态位水平.于2012年8月至2013年6月,在安徽省黄山市汤口镇选择粗放经营茶园采集土壤样品140份,经稀释平板法分离共获得昆虫病原真菌1041株.结果表明： 昆虫病原真菌种群多样性较为丰富,经鉴定分为6属13种.其中,淡紫紫孢菌、球孢白僵菌和金龟子绿僵菌为优势种群,其菌株数分别为309、255和101株,占总数的29.7%、24.5%和9.7%.茶园土壤中淡紫紫孢菌的时间生态位宽度最大,球孢白僵菌最小.昆虫病原真菌之间以球孢白僵菌和布氏白僵菌的时间生态位重叠值最大,为1.965;而爪哇棒束孢和球孢白僵菌的时间生态位重叠值最小,仅为0.374.     

孢悬液浓度和宿主体型大小对球孢白僵菌对松墨天牛幼虫的致病力的影响

【目的】球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana是一种被广泛用于害虫生物防治的生防菌。本研究探讨了孢悬液浓度和宿主体型大小对球孢白僵菌对松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus幼虫的致病力的影响,旨在为松墨天牛的生物防治提供科学基础。【方法】分别用0.5%吐温-80(CK)以及1×10~5, 1×10~6, 1×10~7, 1×10~8和1×10~9孢子/mL的球孢白僵菌孢悬液接种松墨天牛4龄幼虫,统计接种后15 d内幼虫死亡率和染菌率。同时用最佳浓度(1×10~9孢子/mL)的球孢白僵菌孢悬液接种体型大小分别为100～150, 200～220, 300～320, 400～420, 500～520和600～650 mg/头的松墨天牛幼虫,测定接种后20 d内幼虫的死亡率和染菌率。【结果】接种1×10~5～1×10~9孢子/mL的球孢白僵菌后,松墨天牛4龄幼虫起初活动自如,后在头部出现烧灼状伤并且体色逐渐变红,最后周身长满菌丝。不同浓度下,随球孢白僵菌孢子浓度升高,松墨天牛4龄幼虫校正死亡率和校正染菌率增加。接种1×10~6～1×10~9孢子/mL球孢白僵菌孢悬液15 d的松墨天牛4龄幼虫累计校正死亡率均可达到100%,1×10~7, 1×10~8和1×10~9孢子/mL浓度下,松墨天牛达到100%校正死亡率所需时间最少。接种0 (CK), 1×10~5, 1×10~6, 1×10~7, 1×10~8和1×10~9孢子/mL球孢白僵菌孢悬液的松墨天牛4龄幼虫校正染菌率在第15天分别为0, 20.00%, 86.67%, 90.00%, 96.67%和100.00%,表现为白僵菌孢子浓度越高,染菌率越高。1×10~9孢子/mL的接种浓度下,松墨天牛幼虫个体越大,天牛幼虫死亡率和染菌率越高。表现在第20天时,体型大小为100～150, 200～220, 300～320, 400～420, 500～520和600～650 mg/头的幼虫的死亡率分别为76.67%, 76.67%, 66.67%, 93.33%, 100.00%和100.00%,染菌率分别为60.00%, 63.33%, 60.00%, 86.67%, 96.67%和100.00%。【结论】球孢白僵菌悬浮液浓度对松墨天牛幼虫的死亡和侵染有显著影响,表现为随孢子浓度的增加而增加;同时,松墨天牛幼虫个体越大,死亡率和染菌率越高。研究结果对开展利用球孢白僵菌防治松墨天牛具重要借鉴和指导意义。     

不同绿僵菌、白僵菌菌株对铜绿丽金龟幼虫的毒力生物测定

应用五株虫生真菌对铜绿丽金龟的幼虫的感染试验结果,将终浓度为1×107孢子/mL的孢悬液对铜绿丽金龟幼虫进行毒力测定。试验结果为:绿僵菌Ma09、Ma20,布氏白僵菌Bbr06、Bbr17,球孢白僵菌Bb202 15d的感染率分别为20.83%、14.58%、8.33%、95.83%、6.25%,其中布氏白僵菌Bbr17显示了较高的毒力,其LT50和LT95分别为10d、18d,该菌株对今后在花生蛴螬防治具有较大的应用价值。     

草地贪夜蛾幼虫僵虫发生率调查及致病菌分离鉴定

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera furgiperda (J.E.Smith)是一种新的入侵害虫,目前已侵入我国多个省区,严重危害玉米。本研究调查了广州地区草地贪夜蛾僵虫的自然发生率,并分离出具有较高致病性的白僵菌,测定了对草地贪夜蛾3龄幼虫的致病性。结果表明：广州地区草地贪夜蛾幼虫僵虫发生普遍,田间僵虫率最高为20.99%,累积僵虫率达43.21%;结合僵虫、致病菌菌落、显微超微等形态和分子生物学分析,以及致病性测定,确定从草地贪夜蛾幼虫上分离的真菌为球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana;分离培养的分生孢子和僵虫体表洗脱的分子孢子对幼虫致病力相近,有效致死浓度为1107 cfu/mL,幼虫的累积校正死亡率达78.57%。研究表明,该白僵菌菌株对草地贪夜蛾幼虫具有较高的致病性,可作为生防真菌进一步的研究。     

蜡蚧轮枝菌和球孢白僵菌的共发酵

【目的】球孢白僵菌(Beauveria bassiana)和蜡蚧轮枝菌(Verticillium lecanii)是国内外目前研究应用最广泛的杀虫生防真菌,欲扩大其防治范围、增强防治效果、降低生防成本。【方法】采用共发酵技术,通过组合菌株产孢能力和杀虫毒力比较试验,确定蜡蚧轮枝菌和球孢白僵菌共发酵的可行性。【结果】蜡蚧轮枝菌L-31和球孢白僵菌Q-55共发酵的最佳配比为1:1时,按10%总量接种于发酵培养液中(培养液按酵母膏5.0 g/L、葡萄糖20.0 g/L、麦芽糖提取物5.0 g/L、KH2PO43.0 g/L、黄小米200.0 g/L,pH 6.5配制),23.0°C±0.1°C恒温静置发酵12 d,共发酵液的含孢量可达1×109CFU/mL以上,杀虫毒力比较强,其对温室白粉虱和菜青虫可同时显效,处理9 d后的致死中浓度LC50分别为2.09×104±0.12 CFU/mL和3.17×105±0.11 CFU/mL,发酵液浓度为1×108CFU/mL时的致死中时间LT50分别为2.11±0.14 d和4.27±0.43 d,温室小区试验校正防效在80%以上,与其各单一菌株发酵液的防效之间存在显著性差异。【结论】通过两株生防真菌的共发酵研究,为杀虫真菌的扩谱增效以及植物害虫的有效防治提供科学依据和有效途径。     

白僵菌生物防治林中虫生真菌群落结构分析

对白僵菌生物防治林中虫生真菌群落的结构研究表明,长期接种式释放白僵菌的马尾松林中虫生真菌共有属7种.球孢白僵菌的数量占绝对优势,为总数的63.22%;拟青霉次之,占25.86%;绿僵菌占9.20%;轮枝孢仅占1.72%.从寄主昆虫的多样性来看,球孢白僵菌和环链拟青霉的Brillouin多样性指数分别为3.56和2.315,均匀度分别为0.81和0.865;粉拟青霉和蜡蚧轮枝孢的多样性指数分别为1.71和0.862,均匀度为0.963和1.000而黄绿绿僵菌、金龟子绿僵菌和玫烟色拟青霉多样性和均匀度指标均较低.不同季节中被白僵菌侵染的寄主昆虫多样性指数呈现出春秋高、夏季低的趋势,反映了白僵菌种群的季节性变化.     

球孢白僵菌两种施用方式对侵染桔小实蝇的影响及田间的防治效果

室内研究了球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana不同施用方式对侵染桔小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis的影响,以及田间喷施球孢白僵菌防治桔小实蝇的效果。结果表明,两种诱集感染方式桔小实蝇成虫存活率分别为40%、41.7%,差异不显著;添加性引诱剂在白僵菌侵染桔小实蝇的过程中没有起到明显地促进感病的作用,只是缩短了病程,IIPC为0.41-0.44,说明两种诱集感染方式对桔实蝇成虫有一定的控制作用。三种施菌方式的桔小实蝇羽化率、成虫死亡率与对照差异均显著;以IIPC为评价指标,施菌方式对桔小实蝇各因子的影响大小顺序为：成虫存活率 >羽化率>化蛹率,其中以对成虫存活率的影响最大。应用化学防治和球孢白僵菌田间防治桔小实蝇的效果表明,施用2500倍40%毒死蜱效果最好,控制作用达到71.9%,其次是喷施2.0×108孢子/mL球孢白僵菌孢子悬浮液,防效达46.9%,施用2500倍4.5%高效氯氰菊酯防治效果达最差, 防效仅37.5%。     

感染球孢白僵菌后红火蚁体内蛋白质含量的变化

为了解球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana成功感染红火蚁Solenopsis invicta的生理生化机制, 本研究在室内条件下测定了经球孢白僵菌感染后红火蚁工蚁、蛹和幼蚁体内蛋白质含量的变化。结果表明: 红火蚁各虫态感染球孢白僵菌后体内蛋白质含量变化存在差异。在接种后12-72 h, 工蚁体内蛋白质含量在24 h时最高, 为47.12 mg/g, 显著低于对照的56.40 mg/g(P＜0.05), 此后呈下降趋势, 72 h时蛋白质含量下降至25.16 mg/g。幼蚁在接种36 h时体内蛋白质含量最高, 为24.13 mg/g, 此后呈下降趋势, 72 h时蛋白质含量为8.95 mg/g, 显著低于对照的24.80 mg/g。蛹感染球孢白僵菌后体内蛋白质含量一直呈下降趋势, 从12 h的36.57 mg/g降到72 h的10.42 mg/g, 与对照的38.61 mg/g相比差异显著(P＜0.05)。结果显示球孢白僵菌感染能显著降低红火蚁各虫态体内蛋白质含量。     

森林生态系中球孢白僵菌遗传多样性的ISSR分析

应用ISSR分子标记对安徽大别山区的球孢白僵菌遗传多样性进行了研究。从33个引物中筛选出12个多态性高、稳定性好的ISSRs用于正式的扩增分析,在2个自然保护区、3个不同季节和3个不同海拔梯度采集的48个菌株中共扩增出84条带,其中73条为多态性条带,多态性为81％,平均每个引物扩增出7条（2～11）。群体的多态位点百分率（PPL）达81％,Nei’s基因多样性（H）为0.3187,Shannon信息指数（I）为 0.4782。居群间的基因分化系数较小（Gst）0.1028。以上结果表明：安徽大别山区球孢白僵菌有较高的遗传多样性, 居群间遗传变异较小,居群内表现出较高水平的遗传分化。     

低农药残留量的乌龙茶种质资源筛选研究

以福建省武夷山茶叶科学研究所鸟龙茶种质资源圃120份资源为试验材料,依外部形态特征初步筛选出31份比较有希望的品种（系）。将联苯菊酯、甲氰菊酯、氯氰菊酯和噻嗪酮4种农药喷施于这31份资源,7d后采摘鲜叶,烘干固样。用气相色谱法分析检测31份品种（系）鲜叶中4种农药的残留量,筛选出低联苯菊酯、低甲氰菊酯、低氯氰菊酯和低噻嗪酮残留量的乌龙茶特异资源各5、4、3和7份。     

油松毛虫受球孢白僵菌感染的组织病理学变化

为了研究昆虫病原真菌对松毛虫的致病机理, 提供北方地区松毛虫生物防治的科学依据, 本研究采用球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin 菌株1573感染油松毛虫Dendrolimus tabulaeformis Tsai et Liu, 通过扫描电镜和石蜡切片光学显微镜观察技术, 研究了菌株的感染过程和虫体的组织病理学变化。结果表明, 该病原真菌通过穿透表皮入侵油松毛虫, 染菌后24 h, 观察到分生孢子附着于头部的颅顶, 单眼、触角和口器的基部, 在胸、腹部附着于毛簇、毛瘤、棘状突和节间褶。染菌后36 h, 孢子萌发长出菌丝, 在入侵部位, 菌丝的端部特化成附着胞和侵入钉。染菌后48 h, 菌丝依靠机械力和胞外酶的作用穿透表皮, 虫体表皮出现了裂痕和黑化。染菌后72 h, 菌丝已进入体腔, 感染血淋巴、脂肪体、肌肉、消化道、丝腺和神经组织, 并利用血液和内部组织器官作为营养大量繁殖, 此时, 虫体发涨, 表皮变暗。染菌后96 h, 菌丝占据了松毛虫的血腔, 内部的组织结构被完全瓦解, 松毛虫死亡。最后, 菌丝冲破体壁, 在尸体表面长出新的分生孢子。这些结果说明, 球孢白僵菌B. bassiana菌株1573是一种油松毛虫的高致病性菌株, 可以引起虫体的一系列组织病理变化而致其死亡。     

New record of nucleopolyhedroviruses in tea looper caterpillars in India

Tea production in North-East India hit a record loss due to the widespread severe outbreak of a mixed brood of three species of looper caterpillar pests of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera) in 2008-2010. In addition to Buzura suppressaria, two newly recorded geometrids, viz., Hyposidra infixaria and Hyposidra talaca have caused widespread severe damage in recent years. In the present study we report the nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPV) isolated from the tea looper caterpillar from North-East India. We identified and characterized the NPV by cloning and sequencing a partial segment of polyhedrin gene of virus infected larvae of B. suppressaria, H. talaca and H. infixaria. A comparison of deduced amino acids of polyhedrin gene among H. talaca, H. infixaria and B. suppressaria showed that same strain was found to infect all the three loopers in India, which show high sequence identity with B. suppressaria Chinese isolates. Based on the polyhedrin sequence homology, it is predicted that a variant of B. suppressaria Chinese isolate of NPV found to infect H. talaca, H. infixaria and B. suppressaria in India.     

Molecular monitoring and evaluation of the application of the insect-pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana in southeast China

AIMS: To monitor the fate of inundatively applied strains of Beauveria bassiana against Masson's pine caterpillar, Dendrolimus punctatus, in Magushan Forest, southeast China, and evaluate the potential environmental risks of biocontrol introduction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Filed samplings of mycosed cadavers were carried out continuously for more than one year after the inundative applications of two exotic B. bassiana strains. By employing four complementary molecular markers, the purified cultures from collections were characterized and the two released strains Bb17 and Bb13 were recovered with respective frequencies of 9.1 and 5.2%. The released strains were isolated from nontarget hosts. The genetic diversity of the population of B. bassiana in the trial plot changed dynamically over time and no single genotype strain dominated throughout the sampling period or at different seasons. The indigenous strains were observed to be predominant in the local environment. Co-infection and/or genetic recombination might occur between strains under natural conditions. CONCLUSION: Field applications of the biocontrol agent B. bassiana appear to pose no major risk to the environment. There was no evidence of displacement of indigenous strains of B. bassiana. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results indicate that the introduction of exotic B. bassiana strains can persist in local environment and infect nontarget insect hosts, highlighting the importance of safety assessment of the large-scale application of fungal biocontrol agents.     

Effects of combining microbial and chemical insecticides on mortality of the Pecan Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), is a key pest of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch]. Current control recommendations are based on chemical insecticide applications. Microbial control agents such as the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) and the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin occur naturally in southeastern U.S. pecan orchards and have shown promise as alternative control agents for C. caryjae. Conceivably, the chemical and microbial agents occur simultaneously within pecan orchards or might be applied concurrently. The objective of this study was to determine the interactions between two chemical insecticides that are used in commercial C. caryae control (i.e., carbaryl and cypermethrin applied below field rates) and the microbial agents B. bassiana and S. carpocapsae. In laboratory experiments, pecan weevil larval or adult mortality was assessed after application of microbial or chemical treatments applied singly or in combination (microbial + chemical agent). The nature of interactions (antagonism, additivity, or synergy) in terms of weevil mortality was evaluated over 9 d (larvae) or 5 d (adults). Results for B. bassiana indicated synergistic activity with carbaryl and antagonism with cypermethrin in C. caryae larvae and adults. For S. carpocapsae, synergy was detected with both chemicals in C. caryae larvae, but only additive effects were detected in adult weevils. Our results indicate that the chemical-microbial combinations tested are compatible with the exception of B. bassiana and cypermethrin. In addition, combinations that exhibited synergistic interactions may provide enhanced C. caryae control in commercial field applications; thus, their potential merits further exploration.     

5种茶园秋冬季天敌与假眼小绿叶蝉空间关系密切程度的差异

为了明确与假眼小绿叶蝉空间关系密切的天敌种类,为合理利用和保护天敌提供科学依据。运用地学统计学分析方法计算白毫早茶园、黄山大叶种茶园、农抗早茶园、平阳特早茶园和乌牛早茶园秋冬季假眼小绿叶蝉和其主要6种天敌地统计学半变异函数的变程。使用灰色系统分析方法对计算结果进行灰色关联度分析,并对分析结果进行标准化。以标准化后的密切指数大小评判天敌与假眼小绿叶蝉空间关系的密切程度。结果是：1）、黄山大叶种茶园和农抗早茶园与假眼小绿叶蝉空间关系密切的前3位天敌是粽管巢蛛、鳞纹肖蛸和斜纹猫蛛,但位次不同。2）、白毫早茶园前3位天敌是鳞纹肖蛸、斜纹猫蛛和锥腹肖蛸,前2种与黄山大叶种和农抗早茶园相同。3）、平阳特早茶园前3位天敌是鳞纹肖蛸、粽管巢蛛和草间小黑蛛,前2种与黄山大叶种和农抗早茶园相同。4）、乌牛早茶园前3位天敌是粽管巢蛛、草间小黑蛛和三突花蟹蛛,只有粽管巢蛛与黄山大叶种和农抗早茶园相同。根据5种茶园同种天敌密切指数之和以及同种天敌位次之和评判,与假眼小绿叶蝉空间关系密切的天敌均是鳞纹肖蛸、粽管巢蛛和斜纹猫蛛。天敌位次的变化主要是害虫和天敌数量之比的比值变化。害虫个体数与某种天敌个体数之比的比值越小,天敌与害虫的跟随关系则越密切。密切原因与食饵资源短缺有关。     

崂山茶区茶树根围AM真菌多样性

为调查崂山茶区土壤中丛枝菌根(AM)真菌资源的分布状况, 于2007年9月从青岛崂山茶区12个茶园采集茶树(Camellia sinensis)根围土样, 采用湿筛倾注–蔗糖离心法分离AM真菌, 测定其物种丰度、频度、孢子密度、相对多度、重要值、多样性指数等。共分离到AM真菌3属22种, 无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora)出现的频度最高, 其次是球囊霉属(Glomus)。AM真菌孢子密度以晓望村茶园最高, 高家村茶园最低; 种丰度以常家村茶园最高; 常家村茶园和万来客茶园的Shannon-Wiener指数显著高于其他茶园。光壁无梗囊霉(Acaulospora laevis)是北崂茶厂、万里江茶园、樱山春茶园、万里江有机茶园、常家村茶园和桑园村茶园的优势种; 波状无梗囊霉(Acaulospora undulata)为万里江有机茶园和万来客茶园的优势种; 隐球囊霉(Glomus occultum)为樱山春茶园、晓望村茶园和万来客茶园的优势种。应用典型相关分析(CCA)对环境因子与崂山茶区AM真菌群落组成的关系进行了分析, 各因子的影响大小依次为: 土壤速效磷含量＞土壤有机质含量＞种植年限＞土壤碱解氮含量＞土壤pH值＞土壤速效钾含量。     

Interaction effects between Beauveria bassiana and imidacloprid against Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman is a major pest of many horticultural crops in many parts of the world. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and imidacloprid are used for the control of the onion thrips. The potential interactions between the fungus and the chemical against the onion thrips adults were evaluated in a laboratory and two greenhouse bioassays. The laboratory bioassay was a leaf dip bioassay for a mixture of B. bassiana and imidacloprid. The first greenhouse bioassay was a topical application of a mixture of the fungus and the chemical while the second bioassay was a drenching application of imidacloprid and a topical application of B. bassiana. In all bioassays, the combined application resulted in higher percentage mortalities than either B. bassiana or imidacloprid alone. In the laboratory bioassay, the highest mortality of 97% was achieved by using B. bassiana at the field rate with imidacloprid at 1/10th the field rate relative to 88%, 94%, 21% for B. bassiana alone, imidacloprid alone and the control, respectively. In the first greenhouse bioassay, the highest mortality of 80% resulted from the combined application of B. bassiana and imidacloprid at field rates compared with 55%, 75%, and 22% for B. bassiana alone, imidacloprid alone and the control, respectively. In the second greenhouse bioassay, the combined application of both control agents at field rates resulted in 85% mortality compared with 52%, 83%, and 18% for B. bassiana alone, imidacloprid alone and the control, respectively. The interaction effect between the two control agents was additive except when B. bassiana at 1/2 field rate was mixed with imidacloprid at 1/10th field rate in the laboratory bioassay, where the interaction was antagonistic. The above results indicate that combining imidacloprid with B. bassiana might reduce the rate of the insecticide application while enhancing the efficacy of the biological control agent.     

Potential capacity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in the biosorption of Cd2+ and Pb2+

In this study Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were used as inexpensive and efficient biosorbents for Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous metal solutions. The effects of various physicochemical factors on Pb(II) and Cd(II) biosorption by B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were studied. The optimum pH for Cd(II) and Pb(II) biosorption by two fungal species was achieved at pH 6.0 for Pb(II) and 5.0 Cd(II) at a constant time of 30 min. The nature of fungal biomass and metal ion interactions was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared. The maximum adsorption capacities (q(max)) calculated from Langmuir isotherms for Pb(II), and Cd(II) uptake by B. bassiana were 83.33±0.85, and 46.27±0.12 mg/g, respectively. However, the q(max) obtained for Pb(II) uptake by M. anisopliae was 66.66±0.28 mg/g, and 44.22±0.13 mg/g for Cd(II). B. bassiana showed higher adsorption capacity compared to M. anisopliae. The data obtained imply the potential role of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions.