Biocontrol Science and Technology (2018) 28, 718-735

Marek Barta, Ivona Kautmanová, Helena Cicková, Ján Ferencík, Stefan Florián, Július Novotny and Milan Kozánek (2018)
The potential of Beauveria bassiana inoculum formulated into a polymeric matrix for a microbial control of spruce bark beetle
Biocontrol Science and Technology 28 (7), 718-735
Abstract: Two local strains of Beauveria bassiana originally isolated from naturally infected spruce bark beetles in Slovakia were tested for their virulence to Ips typographus (IT) and for their compatibility with a polymeric matrix composed of low-molecular polyethylene. Conidia could be homogenously immobilized in the low-molecular polyethylene matrix with no adverse effect on their viability and infectivity. At constant temperature (25°C), viability of immobilized conidial decreased only by 1–2% after 7 or 14 days when compared with non-formulated conidia. In field conditions, viability of conidia formulated in the matrix was even significantly higher than non-formulated conidia 35 days after their application in traps. Conidia incorporated into the polymeric matrix were infective to IT adults in laboratory bioassays. Mean values of LC₅₀ for native conidia (0.72–2.05 × 10⁶ conidia ml^-1) and conidia immobilized in the polymeric matrix (0.64–1.03 × 10⁵ conidia mm^-2) demonstrated high virulence. The efficacy of the local strains was significantly higher than that of B. bassiana strains from mycoinsecticides (Boverol^®, Botanigard^® ES and Naturalis-L^®). Results showed potential of this polymeric material for its use in microbial control of IT when mixed with conidia of B. bassiana.
(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): Marek Barta, Milan Kozanek, Helena Cicková

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen)