Relationship between thermotolerance and hydrophobin-like proteins in aerial conidia of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus as fungal biocontrol agents

AIMS: This study was to illustrate the relationship between the thermotolerance and the contents of hydrophobin-like or formic-acid-extractable (FAE) proteins in aerial conidia of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus produced on rice-based substrate. METHODS AND RESULTS: Survival indices of 11 isolates were separately assessed as a ratio of the viability of conidia after 3-150 min thermal stress at 48 degrees C over that of unstressed conidia and fitted well to a survival model (r(2) >/= 0.97). For a given isolate, the fitted model generated an LT(50), the time for 50% viability loss under the stress. The LT(50)s of six B. bassiana isolates (10.1-61.9 min) and five P. fumosoroseus isolates (2.8-6.2 min) were correlated (r(2) = 0.81) with FAE protein contents (6.9-23.4 microg mg(-1)). The survival indices of a fixed B. bassiana isolate after 45-min thermal stress at 48 degrees C were also correlated to the FAE protein contents from conidia produced on glucose-, sucrose-, or starch-based substrate (0.79 相似文献   

Effects of temperature and solar radiation interactions on the survival of quiescent conidia of the entomopathogenic hyphomycetePaecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown and Smith

The detrimental effect of solar radiation on the survival of conidia of the entomopathogenic fungusPaecilomyces fumoroseus was studied by monitoring germinability and ability to form colonies (CFU) of conidia irradiated at two temperatures, 25 and 35 °C, harmless to shaded conidia. There was no apparent effect when spores were exposed to a high level of artificial radiation (0.66 W m^–2 UVB). However, at a lower level of irradiance (0.33 W m^–2), effects of radiation occurred more quickly at 35 °C than at 25 °C. Under natural solar radiation, the rate of decrease in germinability or viability was doubled at 35 °C as compared to 25 °C, indicating an interaction between temperature and radiation effects under natural conditions. This interaction was not detected in indoor experiments, indicating that the spectral distribution of UV radiation has to be taken in account as well as its irradiance when studying its effects.Abbreviations CFU Colony Forming Units - UTC Universal Time Coordinates - UVB Ultra Violet B radiation (280–320 nm)     

Transformation of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

AIMS: To test the suitability of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AMT) method with Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, a fungal pathogen that causes diseases in a wide range of insects including whiteflies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Conidia of P. fumosoroseus were successfully transformed to hygromycin B resistance using the hph gene of Escherichia coli as the selectable marker. Transformation frequencies were 58.3 +/- 18.5, 98.3 +/- 24.8 and 169.7 +/- 35.5 (+/-SEM) transformants per 10(5), 10(6) and 10(7) target conidia respectively. After confirmation by PCR, transformants were subjected to Southern analysis, and the results revealed that 45% (four of nine) of the transformants contained single-copy integration of the T-DNA. CONCLUSIONS: In our AMT system, we efficiently transformed conidia of P. fumosoroseus. The employment of this method circumvents time-consuming protoplast preparation and allows the isolation of transformants containing single-copy integration of the T-DNA. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Considering the efficiency of Ag. tumefaciens-mediated transformation, this method represents a useful tool for insertional mutagenesis to characterize genes that are important for the pathogenicity of P. fumosoroseus.     

The effect of selected allelochemicals on germination of conidia and blastospores and mycelial growth of the entomopathogenic fungus,Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes)

Selected allelochemicals that protect plants from invasion by plant pathogenic fungi were investigated for their activity against the entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus. The alkaloids tomatine, solanine, and camptothecin; the furanocoumarin, xanthotoxin; and the phenolic, tannic acid were tested for their effects on germination of conidia and blastospores and growth of mycelia. The LC50 values (corresponding to 50% inhibition of germination) for tomatine, solanine, camptothecin, xanthotoxin and tannic acid were 51.6, 95.9, 55.9, 83.0 and 72.8 mg/l respectively. When blastospores were placed on media containing a concentration of the individual allelochemicals that inhibit germination in approximately 50% of conidia, all but blastospores on tomatine had significantly less germination than did aerial conidia. Growth rates of mycelia were slowest in the camptothecin medium, followed by those of tomatine and xanthotoxin and were not significantly different from controls in the media containing solanine and tannic acid. A multitude of biotic and abiotic factors are responsible for specificity and degree of pathogenicity of entomopathogens. The effect of crop plant chemistry on the efficacy of entomopathogens should be quantified further in order to maximize their potential when used concomitantly with resistant plant varieties. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the entomopathogenic hyphomycete,Paecilomyces fumosoroseus

Nine microsatellite markers were isolated from the entomopathogenic haploid fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus. Genetic diversity was assessed in 26 P. fumosoroseus isolates originated from the whitefly Bemisia tabaci collected in various geoclimatic areas. Eight loci were polymorphic with an observed number of alleles ranging from two to six. The loci differentiated some isolates and group of isolates according to their geographical location, showing promise for the study of gene flow. All loci failed to give clear amplifications in P. fumosoroseus isolates from hosts other than B. tabaci. These microsatellite markers provide powerful tools for ecological, epidemiological, and population genetic studies.     

Comparison of air-drying methods for evaluating the desiccation tolerance of liquid culture-produced blastospores of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus

Various drying methods were tested to identify a standard procedure for evaluating the desiccation tolerance of liquid culture-produced blastospores of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus. Since our work is focused on optimizing fermentation conditions for the production of P. fumosoroseus, the criteria for selecting a drying method included ease of use, moderate spore survival after drying and limited variation in spore survival. Three air-drying methods were tested: P. fumosoroseus blastospores mixed with silica gel, with sand, or with diatomaceous earth. Humidity controlled drying was used in the diatomaceous earth drying method. Blastospore survivals after drying were 19% (C.V. range, 32 to 45%), 82% (C.V. range, 26 to 43%), and 2% (C.V. range 32 to 50%) for the silica gel, sand, and diatomaceous earth methods, respectively. Blastospores dried using the silica gel and sand methods had been rinsed in 0.7 m polyethylene glycol before drying and rehydrated in the same solution for determination of survival. The variation observed within each method was similar. The silica gel drying method was selected as most appropriate for our studies based on moderate blastospore survival (19%) and ease of use.     

玫烟色拟青霉对小菜蛾致病力的时间-剂量-死亡率模型模拟

小菜蛾Plutella xylostella是我国南方十字花科蔬菜上的重要害虫,已对田间常用的化学杀虫剂产生了严重的抗性。为寻找有效的小菜蛾生物防治措施,本实验研究了一株分离自家白蚁的玫烟色拟青霉Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (SCAU-PFCF01)对小菜蛾2～4龄幼虫的致病力。实验采用浸液法,供试浓度为1×10³、1×10⁴、1×10⁵、1×10⁶和1×10⁷个孢子/mL。结果表明：随玫烟色拟青霉孢子浓度的升高,小菜蛾的感病死亡率增加,在浓度为1×10⁷ /mL时,小菜蛾2、3和4龄幼虫的累计死亡率分别为96%、85%和80%。玫烟色拟青霉对小菜蛾各龄幼虫的致病力与供试龄期有关,其感病的敏感顺序为2龄、3龄和4龄。用时间 剂量 死亡率模型（time-dose-mortality model,TDM）对各龄幼虫的致病力数据进行模拟,所建模型均顺利通过Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合异质性检验,表明模型拟合良好,并由模型估计出了该菌株对小菜蛾各龄幼虫的致死剂量与致死时间。2龄幼虫接种后第7天、3龄幼虫接种后第5天、4龄幼虫接种后第4天的LC₅₀估计值分别为1.17×10⁴、1.44×10⁴和5.21×10⁴ /mL,LC₉₀估计值分别为1.98×10⁶、3.82×10⁷和1.29×10⁸ /mL。玫烟色拟青霉对小菜蛾幼虫的致死时间与浓度相关,供试各龄幼虫的LT₅₀值随着孢子悬浮液浓度的增加而递减,在1×10⁵～1×10⁷ /mL的范围内,2龄幼虫的LT₅₀值从3.16天降低到1.72天,3龄幼虫的LT₅₀从3.21天降低到1.83天,4龄幼虫的LT₅₀从3.69天降低到2.04天。即2龄幼虫致死所需的时间最短,其次为3龄幼虫,4龄幼虫致死所需的时间最长。结果显示了该株玫烟色拟青霉在小菜蛾的生物防治中具较强的应用潜力。     

The entomopathogenic fungi Isaria farinosa (formerly Paecilomyces farinosus) and the Isaria fumosorosea species complex (formerly Paecilomyces fumosoroseus): biology,ecology and use in biological control

The entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria farinosa and Isaria fumosorosea were known as Paecilomyces farinosus and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, for more than 30 years. Both fungi have a worldwide distribution and a relatively wide host range. While I. farinosa currently is of minor importance in research and as biocontrol agent, I. fumosorosea is regarded as a species complex, and various strains are successfully used for biocontrol of several pest insects, mainly whiteflies. During the past 40 years, numerous scientific papers on both fungal species covering various research areas were published. This is the first monographic review on the biology, ecology and use of I. farinosa and I. fumosorosea as biocontrol agents. In the following compilation, data on the identity, natural occurrence and geographical distribution, host range, production of metabolites, effect of abiotic and biotic factors (temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, fungus, host plant) and on the use of these species in biocontrol experiments against pest insects, plant pathogens and nematodes in the laboratory and the field are summarised. Sections on their effects on non-target organisms and safety issues are also included. The aim of this review is to increase our knowledge on these entomopathogenic fungi.     

Influence of culture conditions on production and freeze-drying tolerance of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus blastospores

With the goal of developing a defined medium for the production of desiccation-tolerant blastospores of the bioinsecticidal fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, we evaluated the impact of various media components such as amino acids, carbohydrates, trace metals and vitamins on hyphal growth and sporulation of P. fumosoroseus cultures and on the freeze-drying tolerance of blastospores produced under these conditions. A comparison of 13 amino acids as sole nitrogen sources showed that glutamate, aspartate, glycine and arginine supported biomass accumulations (12–16 mg ml⁻¹) and blastospore yields (6–11 × 10⁸ blastospores ml⁻¹) comparable to our standard production medium which contains casamino acids as the nitrogen source. Using glutamate as the sole nitrogen source, tests with various carbohydrates showed that P. fumosoroseus grew best on glucose (18.8 mg biomass ml⁻¹) but produced similar blastospore concentrations (7.3–11.0 × 10⁸) when grown with glucose, glycerol, fructose or sucrose. P. fumosoroseus cultures grown in media with sodium citrate or galactose as the sole carbohydrate produced lower blastospore concentrations but more-desiccation-tolerant spores. Zinc was the only trace metal tested that was required for optimal growth and sporulation. In a defined medium with glutamate as the nitrogen source, vitamins were unnecessary for P. fumosoroseus growth or sporulation. When blastospores were freeze-dried in the absence of a suspension medium, residual glucose (>2.5% w/v) was required for enhanced spore survival. Thus, a defined medium containing basal salts, glucose, glutamate and zinc can be used to produce optimal concentrations of desiccation-tolerant blastospores of P. fumosoroseus. Received 27 October 1998/ Accepted in revised form 06 May 1999     

Evaluation of an entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown and Smith (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) obtained from Formosan subterranean termites (Isop., Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract:  An isolate of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus was obtained from Coptotermes formosanus collected in Hong Kong, and a commercially available isolate of Metarhizium anisopliae , were both tested against C. formosanus shipped live from China. Survivorship of termites treated with a suspension of 5 × 10⁵ M. anisopliae conidia/ml and kept alone declined more rapidly than for those treated at the same concentration of P. fumosoroseus conidia. At a 5 × 10⁶ conidia/ml concentration, no significant differences in terms of termite survivorship were observed between the two fungal species. However, among termites kept in groups of 10 after treatment, those sprayed with P. fumosoroseus conidia at either 5 × 10⁵ or 5 × 10⁶ conidia/ml had significantly lower survivorship than those sprayed with M. anisopliae conidia. All the cadavers of termites treated with P. fumosoroseus and kept alone sporulated and among grouped termites 29% of the cadavers sporulated. By comparison, 53% of the cadavers of termites treated with M. anisopliae and kept alone sporulated, and only 4% of the cadavers of treated termites kept in groups sporulated.     

菜青虫感染玫烟色拟青霉后血淋巴蛋白质含量及几种保护酶活力的变化

对玫烟色拟青霉Paecilomyces fumosoroseus侵染3、4龄菜青虫Pieris rapae后,其血淋巴中蛋白质含量、体内保护酶及谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活力进行了研究。结果表明,感病的3、4龄菜青虫血淋巴中蛋白质含量明显低于同期未感染的幼虫;感病虫体内超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶的活力发生了不同程度的改变,其中对3龄菜青虫体内酶活力的影响比4龄幼虫大。此外被侵染的3、4龄菜青虫体内谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活力在感病前期显著高于同期未感染的菜青虫,而在感病后期明显低于同期未感染的菜青虫。     

Effect of various liquid culture media on morphology,growth, propagule production,and pathogenic activity to Bemisia argentifolii of the entomopathogenic Hyphomycete,Paecilomyces fumosoroseus

The entomopathogenic Hyphomycete Paecilomyces fumosoroseus was grown in five different liquid media, which have been developed for mass production of Beauveria spp. or P. fumosoroseus. Production was followed for 96 h by measuring both biomass and concentration of propagules. Maximal biomass was obtained with two media, Jackson and Catroux media (40–60 mg ml-1 suspension produced after 42 h incubation), where the exponential phase of growth began earlier than in the other media. While high concentrations of propagules (1.4–5.5 × 108 propagules ml-1) were produced in three media (Jackson, Paris, and Catroux media) after 48–72 h incubation, production of propagules was lower in the two other media, containing maltose as carbon source (Goral and Kondryatiev media) with 0.4–3.7 × 107 propagules ml-1 after 96 h incubation. P. fumosoroseus produced oblong blastospores in the three most productive media and conidiospore-like (ovoid to subspherical) propagules in the two other media. Infection potential of produced propagules was tested on the silverleaf whitefly ( Bemisia argentifolii). Whiteflies were sprayed as 2nd instars with P. fumosoroseus propagules produced in the five liquid media (1.9 × 103 and 1.9 × 104 propagules cm-2). All the media produced propagules that were infectious for larvae. With the lower dosage, mortality rates were significantly lower with propagules produced in one of the two least productive media (57%) (in the Kondryatiev medium) compared to those obtained with the three most productive media (>90%). However, when whiteflies were treated with the higher dosage, mortality rates (91–99%) between media were not significantly different. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Trials of Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and imidacloprid for management of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on greenhouse grown lettuce

Mineral oil-based emulsifiable preparations of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Pfr) conidia were separately applied alone or together with low rates of imidacloprid 10% WP at 4.7% (Im 1), 14.0% (Im 2), and 23.3% (Im 3) of its recommended application rate, respectively, against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, on lettuce grown in the greenhouse. Besides eight fungal treatments, the three low application rates of imidacloprid in the oil-based carrier and a blank control (CK) were also included as treatments of the trials conducted in 2002 and 2003. For the 12 treatments of each trial with three replicates, 1,000-fold aqueous dilutions were sprayed twice on transplanted lettuce at a 15-day interval at a rate of ∼1.43×10¹³ conidia ha^-1 for each fungal treatment or at one of the low rates of imidacloprid using a backpack hand-operated hydraulic sprayer. Based on whitefly densities, mortalities, relative efficacies and percent density declines estimated from whitefly counts made at 5-day intervals, all B. bassiana and P. fumosoroseus sprays were highly effective against T. vaporariorum compared to CK and Im 1-3 in both trials. In trial 1, the estimates of whitefly density decline and relative efficacy ranged from 44 and 72% (Bb) to 79 and 90% (Pfr+Im 2-3) on day 10 after the first spray and exceeded 94% for all fungal treatments 10 days after the second spray. Similar trends in whitefly control were also achieved in the corresponding treatments of trial 2. A more desirable and faster control resulted from fungal sprays containing more imidacloprid, but none of the three low imidacoprid rates alone suppressed the whitefly population more effectively than any fungal treatment despite a varying degree of efficacy. Moreover, P. fumosoroseus tended to be more effective against T. vaporariorum than B. bassiana when applied alone or together with the same low rate of imidacloprid but the difference in whitefly control eventually achieved was not significant between the two fungal agents. Thus, the emulsifiable preparations of both fungal agents can be considered as alternatives for whitefly management and for a slightly faster control can be applied together with imidacloprid at around 15% of its common application rate. An economic balance between the efficacy of whitefly control and the ease and cost of conidial production is needed when both fungi are incorporated into whitefly management.     

玫烟色拟青霉适温性及抗多菌灵特性的种内变异

在15 ℃～35 ℃的温度范围内比较测定了玫烟色拟青霉(Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) 6株野生菌的菌落生长、产孢量及孢子活力.结果显示,3个指标均以25 ℃左右最好,但同一温度下菌株间或同一菌株在不同温度下的差异显著, 菌株Pfr116和Pfr6206具有相对稳定优良的生长、产孢及活孢率性状.对不同浓度多菌灵对6株野生菌的菌落生长和单孢菌落形成的影响测定表明,菌株间存在较大差异.不同多菌灵浓度对单孢菌落形成的抑制率观察值可用逻辑斯蒂模型较好地拟合(r²≥0.90).用所获参数估计的最低禁菌浓度MIC值显示,Pfr4205和Pfr116对多菌灵表现为低抗性（MIC≤20.0 μg·ml^-1）;Pfr153、Pfr612和Pfr2175属于低水平中抗,MIC值仅略大于20 μg·ml^-1;而Pfr6206的MIC值高达93.5 μg·ml^-1,接近MIC>100 μg·ml^-1的高抗标准.因此,Pfr6206为适温性和抗多菌灵特性俱佳的菌株,可作为抗多菌灵和适应不同季节或地区的害虫生防菌剂的候选菌株.     

常用化学杀螨剂对两种生防真菌孢子的相容性测定

用营养液萌发法和平板萌发法测定了10种常用化学杀螨剂与球孢白僵菌（Beauveria bassiana）和玫烟色拟青霉（Paecilomyces fumosoroseus）分生孢子的生物相容性.结果表明,营养液萌发法比平板法灵敏.以24 h内的孢子萌发率作为指标,供试杀螨剂的常用浓度及其5和10倍稀释液对活孢率的影响在不同杀螨剂间差异极显著,并在两种真菌间也存在差异.三唑锡、浏阳霉素、三氯杀螨醇和阿维菌素对生防真菌孢子的抑制力很强,不宜混用.速螨酮、克螨特、乐斯本、尼索朗及双甲脒等杀螨剂与真菌孢子的相容性优良,可与菌剂田间混用.将速螨酮、克螨特和乐斯本分别按3种浓度与白僵菌的孢子悬乳剂混配后在4 ℃恒温和室内变温下长期共贮,结果显示,3种杀螨剂对孢子活力的影响迥异,混配制剂在室内变温下的贮存期均未达到12个月,离商品化的要求差距较大.乐斯本的长期相容性相对较优,与菌剂低浓度混配可在常温下贮存6.5个月,中浓度和低浓度混配在4 ℃下可贮存12个月.     

Modulation of the bacterial response to spectral solar radiation by algae and limiting nutrients

SUMMARY 1. The response of bacterial production (measured as [³H]TdR incorporation rate) to spectral solar radiation was quantified experimentally in an oligotrophic high-mountain lake over 2 years. Bacterial responses were consistent: ultraviolet-B (UVB) was harmful, whereas ultraviolet-A (UVA) + photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and PAR enhanced bacterial activity. Full sunlight exerted a net stimulatory effect on bacterial activity in mid-summer but a net inhibitory effect towards the end of the ice-free period.
2. Experiments were undertaken to examine whether the bacterial response pattern depended on the presence of algae and/or was modulated by the availability of a limiting inorganic nutrient (phosphorus, P). In the absence of algae, [³H]TdR incorporation rates were significantly lower than when algae were present under all light treatments, and the consistent bacterial response was lost. This suggests that the bacterial response to spectral solar radiation depends on fresh-C released from algae, which determines the net stimulatory outcome of damage and repair in mid-summer.
3. In the absence of algae, UVB radiation inhibited bacteria when they were strongly P-deficient (mean values of N : P ratio: 46.1), whereas it exerted no direct effect on bacterial activity when they were not P-limited.
4. P-enrichment of lake water markedly altered the response of bacteria to spectral solar radiation at the end of ice-free period, when bacteria were strongly P-deficient. Phosphorus enrichment suppressed the inhibitory effect of full sunlight that was observed in October, both in whole lake water (i.e. including algae) and in the absence of algae. This indicates that the bacterial P-deficiency, measured as the cellular N : P ratio, was partly responsible for the net inhibitory effect of full sunlight, implying a high bacterial vulnerability to UVB.     

Influence of formulation additives on the desiccation tolerance and storage stability of blastospores of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes)

Blastospores of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were formulated with 10% lactose/1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) or various compositions of Fantesk™, a starch-oil composite prepared by jet-cooking an aqueous dispersion of starch and oil. Storage stability studies with wet blastospore formulations showed that maximum blastospore survival was achieved during low-temperature storage at -20°C with lactose/BSA formulations or starch-oil formulations supplemented with sucrose, zein protein, and whole milk. Under conditions of wet storage at -20°C, the addition of whole milk to starch-oil formulations significantly improved blastospore stability while the addition of sucrose or zein protein had no effect. In freeze-drying studies, no significant differences were seen in blastospore desiccation tolerance or in stability during storage at either 4 or -20°C when blastospores of P. fumosoroseus were formulated with lactose/BSA or starch-oil formulations with sucrose, zein protein, and whole milk. Freeze-dried blastospore formulations stored at 4°C showed no loss in blastospore viability after 3 months storage and blastospore formulations stored at -20°C showed no loss in viability during the entire 12-month study. For freeze-dried, starch-oil formulations, sucrose was shown to improve blastospore survival during the freeze-drying process. The addition of whole milk to starch-oil formulations significantly improved the stability of freeze-dried blastospores stored at 4°C. Compared to unformulated blastospore suspensions that showed blastospore settling after 30 min, suspensions of blastospores formulated with lactose/BSA or starch-oil composites remained stable for up to 2 h after mixing.     

Persistence of the nematophagous fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 in soil under controlled conditions

The persistence of the nematophagous fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus Samson strain 251 (PL251) and the effect of application rate, substrate type, as well as the presence of the nematode host on its dynamics after application to the soil were investigated under controlled conditions. In all experiments, increase of P. lilacinus colony forming units after application was not found. In contrast, a gradual decline in fungal densities over time was observed. Application rate had no significant effect on the dynamics of the fungal population. Likewise, P. lilacinus density decline in soil was not significantly affected by the presence of the nematode host. Substrate type had a significant effect on P. lilacinus persistence in soil. The fungal agent persisted longer in silty loam and clay soil, with reduced persistence when sand was added to field soil. Conversely, when organic substrate was added to pure sand, persistence was significantly increased. Although persistence of fungal biocontrol agents in soil depends on various biotic and abiotic conditions, baseline data on persistence such as those reported in this study are helpful for biocontrol and environmental risk assessment and merit further study.     

Influence of growth environment on tolerance to UV-B radiation, germination speed, and morphology of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum conidia

We previously reported wide variability in UV-B tolerance among different Metarhizium anisopliae isolates [Braga, G.U.L., Flint, S.D., Miller, C.D., Anderson, A.J., Roberts, D.W., 2001a. Variability in response to UV-B among species and strains of Metarhizium isolated from sites at latitudes from 61 degrees N to 54 degrees S. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 78, 98-108] as well as wide phenotypic variability in some of these isolates in response to alterations in their growth environments [Rangel, D.E.N., Braga, G.U.L., Flint, S.D., Anderson, A.J., Roberts, D.W., 2004. Variations in UV-B tolerance and germination speed of M. anisopliae conidia produced on artificial and natural substrates. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 87, 77-83]. Studies on other biological systems have demonstrated that strong selective pressure for tolerance to a stress factor may reduce the phenotypic variability of this trait. In the present study, conidia of the isolate most tolerant to radiation and heat, ARSEF 324, presented very little phenotypic variability in UV-B tolerance in response to production on either artificial culture medium or infected insects. The phenotypic plasticities in two other traits (conidial morphology and germination speed), however, were considerably higher.