Fernanda Canassa1,2, Celeste P D'Alessandro1, Sidcleide B Sousa3, Clarice Gb Demétrio3, Nicolai V Meyling2,4, Ingeborg Klingen4, Italo Delalibera1. 1. Department of Entomology and Acarology, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture/University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), São Paulo, Brazil. 2. Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. 3. Department of Exact Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture/University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), São Paulo, Brazil. 4. Biotechnology and Plant Health Division, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy (NIBIO), Ås, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Root inoculations of crop plants with beneficial fungi constitute a promising strategy for growth promotion and control of above-ground pests and diseases. Here, strawberry roots (cultivar 'Albion' and 'Pircinque') were inoculated with 25 different Brazilian entomopathogenic fungal isolates of three genera and the effects on Tetranychus urticae oviposition and plant growth were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. RESULTS: Reductions in the number of T. urticae eggs compared to control treatments were observed on both cultivars inoculated with almost all isolates. For the cultivar 'Albion', Metarhizium anisopliae (ESALQ 1604, ESALQ 1669), M. robertsii (ESALQ 1622, ESALQ 1635), Metarhizium sp. Indet. (ESALQ 1684) and Beauveria bassiana (ESALQ 3323) increased dry weight of roots and leaves, and fruit yield, while M. robertsii (ESALQ 1634), Metarhizium sp. Indet. (ESALQ 1637) and (ESALQ 1636) enhanced fruit yield and dry weight of leaves, respectively. For the cultivar 'Pircinque', M. anisopliae (ESALQ 1669) was the only isolate observed to increase dry weight of roots. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that inoculation of strawberry roots with entomopathogenic fungi may be an innovative strategy for pest management above ground. Furthermore, these inoculations may also stimulate plant growth and strawberry production, but the effects depend on fungal strains and crop cultivar.
BACKGROUND: Root inoculations of crop plants with beneficial fungi constitute a promising strategy for growth promotion and control of above-ground pests and diseases. Here, strawberry roots (cultivar 'Albion' and 'Pircinque') were inoculated with 25 different Brazilian entomopathogenic fungal isolates of three genera and the effects on Tetranychus urticae oviposition and plant growth were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. RESULTS: Reductions in the number of T. urticae eggs compared to control treatments were observed on both cultivars inoculated with almost all isolates. For the cultivar 'Albion', Metarhizium anisopliae (ESALQ 1604, ESALQ 1669), M. robertsii (ESALQ 1622, ESALQ 1635), Metarhizium sp. Indet. (ESALQ 1684) and Beauveria bassiana (ESALQ 3323) increased dry weight of roots and leaves, and fruit yield, while M. robertsii (ESALQ 1634), Metarhizium sp. Indet. (ESALQ 1637) and (ESALQ 1636) enhanced fruit yield and dry weight of leaves, respectively. For the cultivar 'Pircinque', M. anisopliae (ESALQ 1669) was the only isolate observed to increase dry weight of roots. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that inoculation of strawberry roots with entomopathogenic fungi may be an innovative strategy for pest management above ground. Furthermore, these inoculations may also stimulate plant growth and strawberry production, but the effects depend on fungal strains and crop cultivar.
Authors: Shumaila Rasool; Pablo D Cárdenas; David I Pattison; Birgit Jensen; Nicolai V Meyling Journal: J Chem Ecol Date: 2021-03-19 Impact factor: 2.626
Authors: Liesbet Wilberts; József Vuts; John C Caulfield; Gareth Thomas; Michael A Birkett; Beatriz Herrera-Malaver; Kevin J Verstrepen; Islam S Sobhy; Hans Jacquemyn; Bart Lievens Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-06 Impact factor: 3.752