Compatibility of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauvaria bassiana (Bals. -Criv.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchn) Sorokin Isolates with Different Agrochemicals Commonly Used in Vineyards.

Abstract

Compatibility studies of biological control agents with different agrochemicals have paramount importance to provide proper guidelines for their integrated use and time of application of these agents. The effect of twenty-one different agrochemical formulations commonly used in vineyards including 10 fungicides, 5 insecticides, 2 acaricides and four plant growth regulators on conidial germination and vegetative growth of entomopathogenic fungi; B. bassiana MN710408 and M. anisopliae MN710409 was tested under laboratory conditions. The results of this study showed that among tested fungicides, copper hydroxide formulation was highly compatible with both fungal isolates, it even stimulated conidial germination at all tested concentrations. Also, Copper- sulphate® showed a high stimulant effect with B. bassiana isolate and to a lesser extent with M. anisopliae isolate. The neonicotinoids were compatible with both fungal isolates at certain concentrations. Lufenuron® showed a stimulation effect to both fungal isolates. Regarding plant growth regulators, the Dormex® formulation completely inhibited conidial germination and vegetative growth of both fungal isolates at field recommended concentration, while other types of these agrochemicals showed various degrees of compatibility depending on the fungal isolate.