A biobased superabsorbent formulation for above-ground application of a new entomophthoralean fungus for biological psyllid pest control

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Entomophthoralean fungi have long been recognized as promising candidates for biological insect pest control. However, due to technical challenges, no preparation based on these fungi has been established for practical use so far. Low water availability is a key limiting factor of conidial discharge and germination. In the present study, sporulation of psyllid-pathogenic entomophthoralean fungus Pandora cacopsyllae Eilenberg, Keller and Humber (Entomophthorales Entomophthoraceae) was not observable under reduced water activity (aW ≤ 0.97). To support sporulation of encapsulated P. cacopsyllae hyphae from submerged culture under low humidity conditions in above-ground applications in field, we developed a novel paste-type formulation containing biobased superabsorbents, which retained water for a prolonged time period. In co-application with the superabsorbent formulation, the otherwise fast-drying capsules were kept sufficiently moist for sporulation for at least six days in laboratory trials at low humidity below 40%. Using the new formulation, we measured conidial discharge by P. cacopsyllae from the capsules under dry semi-field conditions in summertime by trapping conidia at a vertical distance of up to 40 cm from the sporulation source. By considering the cardinal directions, fewer conidia were discharged on the sun-facing side in the east than on the sun-averted side in the west. The developed formulation improved the sporulation efficacy significantly. Since water availability is a limiting factor for many fungal biocontrol agents, the developed formulation has the potential to also improve their efficacy.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftBioControl
Vol/bind68
Udgave nummer6
Sider (fra-til)629-641
Antal sider13
ISSN1386-6141
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) based on a decision of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany via the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) as part of the PICTA-KILL project under the innovation support program numbers 2814900415 and 2814900515. We thank our technical assistant Carolin Heck and Katharina Zegers (JKI, Dossenheim, Germany) for the diligent conidia counting at the digital microscope and our gardener Felix Hergenhahn (JKI, Dossenheim, Germany) for grafting and cultivation of the plants. The authors thank Ana-Katrina Büttner for language editing. The article processing charges and open access publication of this article was funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – 490988677 – and Hochschule Bielefeld - University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).

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