Endophytic Beauveria bassiana in grapevine Vitis vinifera (L.) reduces infestation with piercing-sucking insects

Publication date: Available online 22 October 2016 Source:Biological Control Author(s): Yvonne Rondot, Annette Reineke Fungi are important natural pathogens of arthropod pests and are successfully used as biocontrol agents in various crops. In addition to colonizing arthropods, evidence has accumulated that some entomopathogenic fungi like Beauveria bassiana can endophytically colonize a wide array of plant species. However, only limited information is currently available on the endophytic colonization of grapevines with B. bassiana and whether the fungus still maintains its pathogenic habit against insect pests. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to optimize endophytic establishment of the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana in younger, potted plants and mature grapevine plants in the vineyard. We used two different commercialized B. bassiana strains, applied either as conidial suspensions (ATCC 74040 and GHA) or as a formulated product (Naturalis®, strain ATCC 74040) on grapevine leaves. The potential of endophytic B. bassiana to provide protection against putative target pest insects like the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus was assessed in a bioassay using surface sterilized leaves. Endophytic survival of B. bassiana inside leaf tissues of seven-week-old potted plants was evident for at least 21 days after inoculation, irrespective of the inoculum used. Endophytic B. bassiana reduces infestation rate and growth of P. ficus. In the vineyard B. bassiana was...

Source: Biological Control - October 28, 2016 Category: Biology Source Type: research