Beauveria bassianaandMetarhizium anisopliaeendophytically colonize cassava roots following soil drench inoculation.
We investigated the fungal entomopathogensBeauveria bassianaandMetarhizium anisopliaeto determine if endophytic colonization could be achieved in cassava. An inoculation method based on drenching the soil around cassava stem cuttings using conidial suspensions resulted in endophytic colonization of cassava roots by both entomopathogens, though neither was found in the leaves or stems of the treated cassava plants. Both fungal entomopathogens were detected more often in the proximal end of the root than in the distal end. Colonization levels ofB. bassianawere higher when plants were sampled at 7-9 days post-inoculation (84%) compared to 47-49 days post-inoculation (40%). In contrast, the colonization levels ofM. anisopliaeremained constant from 7-9 days post-inoculation (80%) to 47-49 days post-inoculation (80%), which suggestsM. anisopliaeis better able to persist in the soil, or as an endophyte in cassava roots over time. Differences in colonization success and plant growth were found among the fungal entomopathogen treatments.
Entomology, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), km. 17, Recta Cali-Palmira, Colombia.
Melinda
M
Greenfield
Entomology, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), km. 17, Recta Cali-Palmira, Colombia.
María I
MI
Gómez-Jiménez
Entomology, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), km. 17, Recta Cali-Palmira, Colombia.
Viviana
V
Ortiz
Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Building 001, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
Fernando E
FE
Vega
Statistics Group, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
Matthew
M
Kramer
Entomology, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), km. 17, Recta Cali-Palmira, Colombia; Life Sciences Innovation Center, University of California, Davis - Chile, Andrés Bello 2299 No. 1102, Providencia, Santiago, Chile.
Soroush
S
Parsa
Beauveria; Cassava; Endophyte; Fungal entomopathogen; Metarhizium