Effect of biofertilizers and neem oil on the entomopathogenic fungi beauveria bassiana (bals.) vuill. and metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) sorok

Abstract

The in vitro fungitoxic effect of three biofertilizers, E.M.-4, Multibion trade; and Siipennagro used in organic agriculture and the nccin oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauvcria bassiana was studied. These products were mixed in a medium where the two fungi were inoculated, and germination, vegetative growth and conidiogencsis were assessed. The biofertilizers Siipennagro and EM.- 4 showed to be less toxic for the two fungi whereas Miiltibion™ caused major inhibition on M. anisopliae, with reductions in germination (-37.74%), colony diameter (-30.26%) and conidiogenesis (-42.62%). Necm oil promoted a larger negative effect on B. bassiana, inhibiting germination (-45.27%), colony diameter (-36.62%) and conidiogenesis (-84.93%).