Study of effective formulation of conides of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for the biological control of pests

• Grant number: 05/55780-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: December 01, 2005
• End date: July 31, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Ana Lucia Santos Zimmermann
• Grantee: Ana Lucia Santos Zimmermann
• Company: Biocontrol Sistema de Controle Biológico Ltda
• City: Sertãozinho

Abstract

The control of pests in agriculture has been conducted, largely, by the use of chemical insecticides. However, the large scale use of these insecticides has caused many environmental problems, in addition to the development of resistance of some target pests. The biological control of pests has provided an alternative technology for a decrease in the use of chemical insecticides. Fungi are organisms with a great potential for the control of pests, with Metarhizium anisopliae being one of the most widely used agents in fungi-based bioinsecticides. To increase the efficiency in the field and to maintain the viability and virulence at ambient temperatures, the concentrated dust of the conides of this fungus, produced by the Biocontrol company, needs to be subjected to technological processes of formulation, with the appropriate mixture of substances with protective properties. With the intention of innovating existing products in Brazil based on the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae to combat pests, principally in cultivations of sugarcane and grazing grounds, this project proposes the development of three solid formulations, two wettable powders and one granulate, that do not exist in the Brazilian market. The formulations will be able to guarantee the viability and virulence of the conides of M. anisopliae for at least six to twelve months, at ambient temperatures. This makes it possible to increase production of Metarhizium by Biocontrol, with the distribution of formulated products which guarantee the quality of the product, for a period, up until the moment it is used in the field. (AU)