In vitro compatibility of entomopathogenic fungi with insect growth regulators

The present investigation, was carried out to test the compatibility of two entomopathogenic fungi viz., M. anisopliae and B. bassiana with three insect growth regulators viz., novaluron 10EC, chlorfluazuron 5.4 EC and buprofezin 25 SC. The results obtained on the radial growth, percent inhibition of mycelial growth and spore production confirmed that buprofezin 25 SC at its 50 percent of field recommended dose was found compatible with both the fungi. Amongst the treatments, comprised of the maximum mycelial growth at 6 days after inoculation was observed in M. anisopliae grown on the media containing buprofezin 25 SC at its 50 percent field recommended dose (69.00 mm) and was followed by the treatment of M. anisopliae with buprofezin 25 SC at its 100 percent of field recommended dose (68.00 mm). In case of percent inhibition of mycelia growth of fungi, the lowest percent inhibition (0.96 percent) was observed when M. anisopliae was grown on media incorporated with buprofezin 25 SC at its 50 percent field recommended dose followed by the treatment of B. bassiana grown on media incorporated with buprofezin 25 SC at its 50 percent field recommended dose (3.87 percent). Mean conidia production of fungi was found maximum in M. anisopliae (7.23 × 10⁷) and B. bassiana (6.76 × 10⁷) grown on media without incorporation of insect growth regulators. However, when these fungi grown on media incorporated with insect growth regulators, highest mean conidia production was observed in B. bassiana grown on media incorporated with buprofezin 25 SC at its 50 percent field recommended dose.