Abiotic factors affecting persistence and growth of Metarhizium flavoviride Gams and Rozsypal with emphasis on pH

Code (CO)	MSI99P2066
Author (AU)	Behary Paray, N.
Organisation (OR)	Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ascot, GB
Title - English (ET)	Abiotic factors affecting persistence and growth of Metarhizium flavoviride Gams and Rozsypal with emphasis on pH
Thesis-Parent title (TH)	Thesis, MSc
Document Type(DT)	Thesis
Date of publication (DP)	1995
Source (SO)	63 p.: 13 tbls, 7 figs, 7 pl, 11 appen
Language of text (LT)	En
Abstract (AB)	The influence of pH on conidial viability and growth of Metarhizium flavoviride IMI 330189ss was investigated. Highly acidic and alkaline pH levels were detrimental to both conidial viability and mycelial growth of the entomopathogen. Growth was nil at the most acidic pH level while the optimum range was found to be 6.5-8. Effect of pH was also studied with other major abiotic factors as would most probably be encountered under field conditions. Significant interaction of pH with temperature and sunlight was observed. As situations become more stressful for the entomopathogen, a serious decline in conidial viability and growth was recorded. The tolerated pH range was reduced when other factors such as sunlight and temperature became more unfavourable. Increasing exposure time to direct sunlight reduced conidial viability and the effect was more pronounced at the most unfavourable pH levels. Temperature had a significant effect on growth of M. flavoviride; low response was obtained at 10°C and 36°C while highest growth occurred at 26°C. Both solar radiation and temperature had a significant interactive effect with pH. Some studies were also carried out to find out influence of soil type on conidial viability in an attempt to correlate the response with the soil physico-chemical characteristics. Results showed that level of germination was very low in soils with increased proportions of clay. Very low conidial germination occurred in soils kept at 36°C.
Descriptors - English (DE)	METARHIZIUM FLAVOVIRIDE METARHIZIUM BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ORGANISMS PEST RESISTANCE PERSISTENCE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FUNGI PEST CONTROL ENTOMOPATHOGENS ABIOTIC FACTORS
Sort Key 1(K1)	Integrated Pest Management
Date record entered (DA)	1996-01-22
Language of analysis (LA)	En
MSIRI Staff (MS)	ENTO