TITLE:
Impact of Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Growth, Development, and Health of Cabbage Growing under Water Stress
AUTHORS:
Surendra K. Dara, Sumanth S. R. Dara, Suchitra S. Dara
KEYWORDS:
Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosorosea, Metarhizium brunneum, Cabbage
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.6,
May
17,
2017
ABSTRACT: Entomopathogenic
fungi such as Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosorosea, and Metarhizium brunneum are commonly used in the form of biopesticides to manage various
arthropod pests. These fungi also form endophytic and mycorrhiza-like
relationships with plants. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of three
entomopathogenic fungi on the growth, development, and health of cabbage plants
grown under artificial lighting with limited water. Beauveria bassiana had a positive influence on the survival, growth, health, length, and
dry weight of cabbage. Other fungi also had a positive impact on some of the measured
parameters. Other beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae were also compared with the
entomopathogenic fungi. This is the first report evaluating the
non-entomopathogenic role of three entomopathogenic fungi on cabbage plants.