TY - JOUR

T1 - A biobased superabsorbent formulation for above-ground application of a new entomophthoralean fungus for biological psyllid pest control

AU - Muskat, Linda C.

AU - Kais, Britta

AU - Gross, Jürgen

AU - Eilenberg, Jørgen

AU - Patel, Anant V.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Entomopathogenic fungi

KW - Entomophthorales

KW - Pandora cacopsyllae Eilenberg, (Entomophthorales Entomophthoraceae)

KW - Pandora sp. nov. inedit. (ARSEF 13372)

KW - Sporulation

KW - Water activity

U2 - 10.1007/s10526-023-10226-1

DO - 10.1007/s10526-023-10226-1

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85178898624

VL - 68

SP - 629

EP - 641

JO - BioControl

JF - BioControl

SN - 1386-6141

IS - 6

ER -