Biocontrol Science and Technology (1996) 6, 51-61

D. Moore, O.K. Douro-Kpindou, N.E. Jenkins and C.J. Lomer (1996)
Effects of moisture content and temperature on storage of Metarhizium flavoviride conidia
Biocontrol Science and Technology 6 (1), 51-61
Abstract: The effects of moisture content and temperature on the medium-term (3-4 months) storage of conidia of Metarhizium flavoviride were investigated. Conidia harvested after 24 days of culturing on rice showed greater tolerance to long storage than conidia from 12-day cultures. The moisture content of the conidia was of greatest importance; at harvest from the culture, conidial moisture contents could be 40%, while the optimal moisture content for storage was found to be 4-5%. Dried conidia stored in oil benefited from the addition of dried silica gel, as did conidia stored as powder. A range of mineral oils proved satisfactory for storage, and when dried silica gel was added to suspensions, germination levels were 79.8% after 105 days at 28-32 C. Dried conidia stored in oil maintained germination levels of up to 96 and 85% after 80 days at 10-14 C and 28-32 C respectively. Dried conidia stored as powder retained germination levels of 95% at 10-14 C, but only up to 27% at 28-32 C. In another experiment, dried conidia maintained greater than 90% germination over 128 days, with or without silica gel at 10 - 14 C or -15 -18 C.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Dave Moore, Ouro Kobi Douro-Kpindou, Nina E. Jenkins, Chris J. Lomer

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
formulation/storage of bioagents

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Metarhizium acridum (entomopathogen)