Compatibility of entomopathogenic fungi with extracts of plants and commercial botanicals

Abstract

The compatibility of some commercial botanicals (Biospark, Phytophrate, Exodos, Biodos and Neemgold) and of solvent extracts of Syndrella nodiflora, Premna tomentosa, Vitex negundo, Ipomea carnea, Pteridium aquilinum (leaves) and Annona squomosa (seeds) with Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuil., Isaria (Paecilomyces) fumosorosea (Wize) Brown et Smith and Lecanicillium (Verticillium) lecanii Humber in vitro was studied using dual plate and liquid bioassays. The results showed that Biospark. Phytophrate and Exodos highly reduced the mycelial growth of B. bassiana, P. fumosorosea and V. lecanii, respectively. Irrespective of the fungi tested, A. squomosa ethanol and I. cornea water extracts had maximum and minimum growth inhibiting activity against three fungi, respectively. Hence, these extracts can be integrated along with these fungi in the biointensive integrated pest management (BIPM) programme.

Key words: Compatibility, entomopathogenic fungi, plant-based biopesticides, plant extracts.