Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>

<i>Batkoa</i> is a genus of entomophthoralean fungi often associated with insect epizootics, particularly in phytophagous hemipterans. Encapsulation has become a promising strategy for improving the shelf life and sporulation of these fungi post-application. This study aims to (i) compar...

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Main Authors: Daniela Milanez Silva, Natasha Sant’ Anna Iwanicki, Linda Claire Muskat, Anant V. Patel, Italo Delalibera Júnior
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/814
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author Daniela Milanez Silva
Natasha Sant’ Anna Iwanicki
Linda Claire Muskat
Anant V. Patel
Italo Delalibera Júnior
author_facet Daniela Milanez Silva
Natasha Sant’ Anna Iwanicki
Linda Claire Muskat
Anant V. Patel
Italo Delalibera Júnior
author_sort Daniela Milanez Silva
collection DOAJ
description <i>Batkoa</i> is a genus of entomophthoralean fungi often associated with insect epizootics, particularly in phytophagous hemipterans. Encapsulation has become a promising strategy for improving the shelf life and sporulation of these fungi post-application. This study aims to (i) compare the virulence of the submerged propagules and primary conidia of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. ESALQ1199 against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>; (ii) formulate submerged propagules in calcium alginate beads with co-formulants; (iii) assess the colony-forming units and sporulation of encapsulated beads dried with different kaolin concentrations (0%, 2%, 4%, 8% and 10%); (iv) determine the shelf life of dried bead formulations containing 10% kaolin, comparing washed and unwashed beads treated with a 4% sucrose solution; and (v) assess the sporulation capacity of beads with 10% kaolin, washed and unwashed with 4% sucrose solution, over time under humid conditions. Our results demonstrated that primary conidia and submerged propagules effectively killed 82.4% and 57.8% of adult corn leafhoppers, respectively. Co-formulants maintained viability above 80% in dried propagules, while control samples dropped to 45%, indicating the sensitivity of submerged propagules to the drying process. Encapsulated <i>Batkoa</i> sp. retained the same concentration of viable propagules per bead and the number of conidia produced (sporulation) for 30 days at 28 °C. The sporulation of fresh beads increased during the incubation period, plateauing after 27 days. This suggests that <i>Batkoa</i> sp. beads can produce primary conidia under humid field conditions, serving as a potential inoculum source for new infections.
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spelling doaj-art-493ac3ce07c947a0bf72f7df171a09712024-12-27T14:33:49ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2024-11-01101281410.3390/jof10120814Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>Daniela Milanez Silva0Natasha Sant’ Anna Iwanicki1Linda Claire Muskat2Anant V. Patel3Italo Delalibera Júnior4Department of Entomology and Acarology, “Luiz de Queiróz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, BrazilDepartment of Entomology and Acarology, “Luiz de Queiróz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, BrazilDepartment of Crop Protection, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Straße 1, 65366 Geisenheim, GermanyFermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals, Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Interaktion 1, 33619 Bielefeld, GermanyDepartment of Entomology and Acarology, “Luiz de Queiróz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, Brazil<i>Batkoa</i> is a genus of entomophthoralean fungi often associated with insect epizootics, particularly in phytophagous hemipterans. Encapsulation has become a promising strategy for improving the shelf life and sporulation of these fungi post-application. This study aims to (i) compare the virulence of the submerged propagules and primary conidia of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. ESALQ1199 against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>; (ii) formulate submerged propagules in calcium alginate beads with co-formulants; (iii) assess the colony-forming units and sporulation of encapsulated beads dried with different kaolin concentrations (0%, 2%, 4%, 8% and 10%); (iv) determine the shelf life of dried bead formulations containing 10% kaolin, comparing washed and unwashed beads treated with a 4% sucrose solution; and (v) assess the sporulation capacity of beads with 10% kaolin, washed and unwashed with 4% sucrose solution, over time under humid conditions. Our results demonstrated that primary conidia and submerged propagules effectively killed 82.4% and 57.8% of adult corn leafhoppers, respectively. Co-formulants maintained viability above 80% in dried propagules, while control samples dropped to 45%, indicating the sensitivity of submerged propagules to the drying process. Encapsulated <i>Batkoa</i> sp. retained the same concentration of viable propagules per bead and the number of conidia produced (sporulation) for 30 days at 28 °C. The sporulation of fresh beads increased during the incubation period, plateauing after 27 days. This suggests that <i>Batkoa</i> sp. beads can produce primary conidia under humid field conditions, serving as a potential inoculum source for new infections.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/814Entomophthoralesbiological controlformulationentomopathogenic fungusfluidized bed drying
spellingShingle Daniela Milanez Silva
Natasha Sant’ Anna Iwanicki
Linda Claire Muskat
Anant V. Patel
Italo Delalibera Júnior
Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>
Journal of Fungi
Entomophthorales
biological control
formulation
entomopathogenic fungus
fluidized bed drying
title Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>
title_full Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>
title_fullStr Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>
title_full_unstemmed Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>
title_short Encapsulation, Shelf Life, and Virulence of <i>Batkoa</i> sp. Against <i>Dalbulus maidis</i>
title_sort encapsulation shelf life and virulence of i batkoa i sp against i dalbulus maidis i
topic Entomophthorales
biological control
formulation
entomopathogenic fungus
fluidized bed drying
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/814
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