Neotropical Seasonally Dry Forests: Response of Soil Fungal Communities to Anthropogenic Actions

The aim of this review was to analyze the information available on soil fungal community of Neotropical Seasonally dry forests, with special attention given to the Chaco area. This review is focused on the loss of soil fungal community due to anthropogenic actions such as forest clearing. Over the last decades, the expansion of the agricultural frontier has had a wide range of physical, chemical and biological effects on Neotropical dry forests. As these changes on the Schinopsis dry forests (Chaco) have rendered the ecosystem vulnerable, these areas have become some of the few protected areas in South America. After analyzing both national and international studies to find the latest research available on the topic we have noticed there is lack of specific studies on soil fungal community in the Chaco area, unlike Cerrado and Caatinga where most studies have been carried out. Therefore, we propose to conduct more in-depth studies on soil fungi in Schinopsis forests to revalue the Chaco fungal community to use them as potential indicators of soil health and to develop new management techniques.Fil: Merlos, Cristina Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnolológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Moreno, Maria Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnolológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; Argentin

New records of hypocrealean fungi infecting aphids and whiteflies: Pathogenicity against Myzus persicae and interaction with its predator Eriopis connexa

Occurrence of hypocrealean entomopathogenic fungi in Argentina is reported. Bioassays were performed to evaluate their pathogenicity against Myzus persicae and Eriopis connexa. The findings underscore the importance of preserving these fungi and of investigating their potential for vector control.Fil: Scorsetti, Ana Clara. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Cabello, Marta Noemí. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentin

Control capacity of the LPSc 1067 strain of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on different species of grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae), agricultural pests in Argentina

Grasshoppers affect agriculture worldwide, causing serious economic damage. Currently, the application of chemical insecticides against grasshoppers is the only effective strategy, even considering the significant environmental concern. This study aimed to test the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (LPSc 1067) as biocontrol agent on six harmful grasshopper species in Argentina. Significant differences were observed (DF= 5; F= 9.93; P<0.0001) when considering B. bassiana pathogenicity on third-instar nymphs of the different grasshopper species. The highest mortality (100%) was registered on Trimerotropis pallidipennis and Dichroplus maculipennis nymphs while the lowest mortality (48.6 ±3.5%) was observed on Scotussa lemniscata nymphs. The lowest mean survival time (MST) was recorded for T. pallidipennis (3.5 ±0.15 days) and the highest MST was observed on Dichroplus pratensis nymphs (7.48 ±0.28 days). Results suggest that B. bassiana LPSc 1067 may constitute an excellent candidate to be further studied as biological control agent of T. pallidipennis and D. maculipennis. Highlights: Melanoplinae grasshoppers include several species considered plagues. Entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents are considered excellent alternatives to chemical control. The efficacy of bassiana (LPSc 1067) on six grasshopper species of Argentina. The isolate LPSc 1067 could be considered a biological controller pallidipennis and D. maculipennis.Grasshoppers affect agriculture worldwide, causing serious economic damage. Currently, the application of chemical insecticides against grasshoppers is the only effective strategy, even considering the significant environmental concern. This study aimed to test the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (LPSc 1067) as biocontrol agent on six harmful grasshopper species in Argentina. Significant differences were observed (DF= 5; F= 9.93; P<0.0001) when considering B. bassiana pathogenicity on third-instar nymphs of the different grasshopper species. The highest mortality (100%) was registered on Trimerotropis pallidipennis and Dichroplus maculipennis nymphs while the lowest mortality (48.6 ±3.5%) was observed on Scotussa lemniscata nymphs. The lowest mean survival time (MST) was recorded for T. pallidipennis (3.5 ±0.15 days) and the highest MST was observed on Dichroplus pratensis nymphs (7.48 ±0.28 days). Results suggest that B. bassiana LPSc 1067 may constitute an excellent candidate to be further studied as biological control agent of T. pallidipennis and D. maculipennis. Highlights: Melanoplinae grasshoppers include several species considered plagues. Entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents are considered excellent alternatives to chemical control. The efficacy of bassiana (LPSc 1067) on six grasshopper species of Argentina. The isolate LPSc 1067 could be considered a biological controller pallidipennis and D. maculipennis.

Survival and fecundity of Dichroplus maculipennis and Ronderosia bergi (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) following infection by Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) under laboratory conditions

This study examined the effects of strain Beauveria bassiana (LPSC 1067) on nymphal development time, fecundity and adult survival in Dichroplus maculipennis and Ronderosia bergi under laboratory conditions. It was observed that infection with 1 103 conidia/ml altered nymphal development time, fecundity and adult survival in both species. Mortality of D. maculipennis during third through the last instar (sixth) was significantly higher among treated nymphs (6693.8%) than in controls (1591.7%). Similarly, mortality in R. bergi during third through the last instar (fifth) was higher in treated nymphs (7192.8%) than in controls (1991.5%). Nymphal development times of both infected D. maculipennis and R. bergi were longer than controls. On the other hand, among survivors of both the species, control adults lived longer than infected adults. Finally, control grasshoppers of both species were much more successful reproductively than infected grasshoppers.Fil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); ArgentinaFil: Mariottini, Yanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Maria Leticia. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cabello, Marta Noemi. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Lange, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Capacidad de control de la cepa LPSc 1067de Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) sobre diferentes especies de tucuras (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae), plagas del agro de Argentina

Grasshoppers affect agriculture worldwide, causing serious economic damage. Currently, the application of chemical insecticides against grasshoppers is the only effective strategy, even considering the significant environmental concern. This study aimed to test the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (LPSc 1067) as biocontrol agent on six harmful grasshopper species in Argentina. Significant differences were observed (DF= 5; F= 9.93; P<0.0001) when considering B. bassiana pathogenicity on third-instar nymphs of the different grasshopper species. The highest mortality (100%) was registered on Trimerotropis pallidipennis and Dichroplus maculipennis nymphs while the lowest mortality (48.6 ±3.5%) was observed on Scotussa lemniscata nymphs. The lowest mean survival time (MST) was recorded for T. pallidipennis (3.5 ±0.15 days) and the highest MST was observed on Dichroplus pratensis nymphs (7.48 ±0.28 days). Results suggest that B. bassiana LPSc 1067 may constitute an excellent candidate to be further studied as biological control agent of T. pallidipennis and D. maculipennis.Las tucuras causan graves pérdidas económicas en la agricultura a nivel mundial. En la actualidad, los insecticidas químicos siguen siendo el único medio utilizado para el control de acridios, pero los efectos de su utilización son ambientalmente preocupantes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue probar la eficacia de la cepa Beauveria bassiana (LPSc 1067) sobre seis especies de tucuras consideradas plagas de Argentina. En cuanto a la patogenicidad de B. bassiana sobre ninfas de tercer estadio de las diferentes especies tratadas, se encontraron diferencias significativas (DF= 5; F= 9.93; P<0.0001). Los valores de mortalidad más altos (100%) se registraron en ninfas de Trimerotropis pallidipennis y Dichroplus maculipennis y la mortalidad más baja se observó en ninfas de Scotussa lemniscata con una mortalidad de 48,6 +3,5%. El tiempo medio de supervivencia (MST) más bajo se registró para T. pallidipennis (3,5 +0,15 días) y el MST más alto se observó en ninfas de Dichroplus pratensis (7,48 +0,28 días). Los resultados sugieren que B. bassiana LPSc 1067 constituye un excelente candidato para ser estudiado en profundidad como agente de control biológico de T. pallidipennis y D. maculipennis.Fil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Mancini, Micaela Anahí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Maria Leticia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Vianna, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Scorsetti, Ana Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentin

Use of the neotropical fish Cnesterodon decemmaculatus for long-term control of Culex pipiens L. in Argentina

We released the native mosquito fish, Cnesterodon decemmaculatus, into suburban 37 drainage ditches to evaluate its potential as a long-acting agent for the control of CulexCnesterodon decemmaculatus, into suburban 37 drainage ditches to evaluate its potential as a long-acting agent for the control of CulexCulex 38 pipiens larvae in natural breeding sites. The inoculation of predatory fish was conducted in 9 ditches at three densities: 1, 7, and 13 fish/m2 39 during a 2-year period (2006—2008). 40 The number of immature stages of Cx. pipiens was recorded before and after release. On 41 a monthly basis, the digestive-tract contents of some fish and the average number of 42 offspring from the females was recorded. Fifteen weeks after release, a 99% reduction 43 in the number of immature mosquito stages was recorded in the drainage ditches containing 13 fish/m244 , while at 22 weeks, a 99% reduction was also observed in those with 7 fish/m2. The ditches with 1 fish/m2 45 had lower densities of immature mosquito 46 stages relative to the controls, but over the entire experiment these observations did not 47 prove statistically significant. The number of offspring per adult C. decemmaculatuspipiens larvae in natural breeding sites. The inoculation of predatory fish was conducted in 9 ditches at three densities: 1, 7, and 13 fish/m2 39 during a 2-year period (2006—2008). 40 The number of immature stages of Cx. pipiens was recorded before and after release. On 41 a monthly basis, the digestive-tract contents of some fish and the average number of 42 offspring from the females was recorded. Fifteen weeks after release, a 99% reduction 43 in the number of immature mosquito stages was recorded in the drainage ditches containing 13 fish/m244 , while at 22 weeks, a 99% reduction was also observed in those with 7 fish/m2. The ditches with 1 fish/m2 45 had lower densities of immature mosquito 46 stages relative to the controls, but over the entire experiment these observations did not 47 prove statistically significant. The number of offspring per adult C. decemmaculatus2 39 during a 2-year period (2006—2008). 40 The number of immature stages of Cx. pipiens was recorded before and after release. On 41 a monthly basis, the digestive-tract contents of some fish and the average number of 42 offspring from the females was recorded. Fifteen weeks after release, a 99% reduction 43 in the number of immature mosquito stages was recorded in the drainage ditches containing 13 fish/m244 , while at 22 weeks, a 99% reduction was also observed in those with 7 fish/m2. The ditches with 1 fish/m2 45 had lower densities of immature mosquito 46 stages relative to the controls, but over the entire experiment these observations did not 47 prove statistically significant. The number of offspring per adult C. decemmaculatusCx. pipiens was recorded before and after release. On 41 a monthly basis, the digestive-tract contents of some fish and the average number of 42 offspring from the females was recorded. Fifteen weeks after release, a 99% reduction 43 in the number of immature mosquito stages was recorded in the drainage ditches containing 13 fish/m244 , while at 22 weeks, a 99% reduction was also observed in those with 7 fish/m2. The ditches with 1 fish/m2 45 had lower densities of immature mosquito 46 stages relative to the controls, but over the entire experiment these observations did not 47 prove statistically significant. The number of offspring per adult C. decemmaculatus244 , while at 22 weeks, a 99% reduction was also observed in those with 7 fish/m2. The ditches with 1 fish/m2 45 had lower densities of immature mosquito 46 stages relative to the controls, but over the entire experiment these observations did not 47 prove statistically significant. The number of offspring per adult C. decemmaculatus2. The ditches with 1 fish/m2 45 had lower densities of immature mosquito 46 stages relative to the controls, but over the entire experiment these observations did not 47 prove statistically significant. The number of offspring per adult C. decemmaculatusC. decemmaculatus 48 female ranged from 4 ± 1.4 (mean ± SD) to 7.4 ± 0.9. Larval remains were detect.Fil: Tranchida, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Bisaro, V.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Beltrán, C.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Juan Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Micieli, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; Argentin

Cordyceps locustiphila (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) infecting the grasshopper pest Tropidacris collaris (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Romaleidae)

Fil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios en Parasitología y Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Scattolini, María Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios en Parasitología y Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Bardi, Christian. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios en Parasitología y Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Lange, Carlos Ernesto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios en Parasitología y Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Stenglein, Sebastian Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía de Azul. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Cabello, Marta Noemi. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Instituto Spegazzini; Argentin

Application of Beauveria bassiana using different baits for the control of grasshopper pest Dichroplus maculipennis under field cage conditions

Dichroplus maculipennis is a widely distributed species, occurring in several countries of southern South America. Poisoned baits are effective for the control of insect pests. Adding attractants and phagostimulants could result in improved bait formulations, making bait treatment even more efficacious, for the control of grasshopper pests. The goal of the study was to determine, under laboratory bioassay and field cage conditions, the most effective treatment option using different baits with the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, for the control of the grasshopper pest D. maculipennis. In laboratory bioassays we observed significant differences (df = 11; f = 2.23; p < 0.01) in percentages of mortality against third-instar nymphs of D. maculipennis caused by different strains of B. bassiana, as well as between the different treatments studied. Under field cage conditions, the highest mortality was 100% in treatment 3 (canola oil, wheat bran, and conidia) and the lowest was 73.3 in treatment 1 (conidia only). The lowest value of median survival time (MST) was obtained with the combination LPSc 1227 conidia plus wheat bran and canola oil (6.43 d). In the laboratory bioassays and under field cage conditions the combination of conidia of B. bassiana with wheat bran and canola oil improved the performance of conidia, enhancing mortality of D. maculipennis.Fil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Mariottini, Yanina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Maria Leticia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Vianna, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Scorsetti, Ana Clara. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Lange, Carlos Ernesto. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; Argentin

ISSR markers to explore entomopathogenic fungi genetic diversity: Implications for biological control of tobacco pests

Tobacco is one of the major industrial crops cultivated worldwide. Chemical control is the main method employed to reduce damage by insect pests. The use of entomopathogenic fungi represents an alternative to replace insecticides. The search for effective strains in the field constitutes a first step when developing a formulation. The objective of this work was to study genetic differences among isolates of entomopathogenic fungi obtained from tobacco grown soils using ISSR markers. The pathogenicity of the strains towards Helicoverpa gelotopoeon and Diabrotica speciosa was also assessed in order to search for a relationship between virulence and genetic diversity. Nineteen isolates were identified according to morphological features and molecular techniques as Beauveria bassiana (11) and Purpureocillium lilacinum (8). The diversity tree generated by ISSR analysis showed a high diversity among the strains. The pathogenicity towards H. gelotopoeon and D. speciosa was assessed and the logistic models generated showed that B. bassiana isolates LPSc1215 and LPSc1364 were the most pathogenic against both insect pests tested. In the diversity tree, these strains were grouped in a same cluster with a similarity level of approximately 85%, indicating a possible relationship between virulence and the band pattern generated.Fil: Vianna, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Russo, María Leticia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; ArgentinaFil: Toledo, Andrea Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología; ArgentinaFil: Mourelos, Cecilia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología; ArgentinaFil: Scorsetti, Ana Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentin

Endophytic Effects of Beauveria bassiana on Corn (Zea mays) and Its Herbivore, Rachiplusia nu (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Entomopathogenic fungi are widely recognized as agents of biological control worldwide. Their use in agriculture for the regulation of pest populations is a promising alternative to conventional insecticides. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that entomopathogenic fungi fulfill an additional role in plants as growth promoters. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the growth and yield of corn plants colonized with Beauveria bassiana and its effect on the lepidopteran pest Rachiplusia nu. Effects of the fungus on plant growth, crop yield, and vertical transmission were evaluated in the field. Feeding preferences of R. nu larvae were assessed in the laboratory using a “choice test”. Corn plants inoculated with B. bassiana showed an increase in height, number of leaves, grain weight, yield, and percentage of seed germination compared to control plants. Consumption of B. bassiana-colonized corn plants by R. nu larvae was reduced compared to feeding levels observed on non-inoculated plants. This study showed that endophytic B. bassiana can provide multiple benefits to Zea mays and can play an important role in future integrated pest management programs.Fil: Russo, Maria Leticia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Scorsetti, Ana Clara. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Vianna, María Florencia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Cabello, Marta Noemí. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Ferreri, Natalia Analia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pelizza, Sebastian Alberto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin