Formulation and drying methods for the fungal pathogen Batkoa sp.

• Grant number: 22/07858-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 06, 2022
• End date: August 29, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Italo Delalibera Júnior
• Grantee: Daniela Milanez Silva
• Supervisor: Anant Patel
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (FH Bielefeld), Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/10302-0 - Development of production and drying methods of unexplored entomopathogenic fungi in pest control: Hirsutella, Neozygites and Batkoa, BP.DR

Abstract

The agriculture market for organic products grows between 15-20% per year in Brazil. Entomopathogenic fungi make up most biological products registered for pest control in the country. Almost all of these products are based on aerial conidia, from solid fermentation using grains as a substrate of only four species of ascomycete fungi, pathogenic to arthropod pests, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps (=Isaria) fumosorosea and Hirsutella thompsonii. On the other hand, countless entomopathogenic fungi and different propagules could be exploited commercially. The entomopathogenic fungi of the phylum Entomophthoromycota are specialists commonly found causing epizootics in pest populations. However, these fungi are more demanding regarding cultivation in liquid medium and drying process. Few studies have optimized all the steps for producing and formulating different fungal structures produced by Entomophthorales fungi. In the present project, we propose to study formulation strategies of propagules obtained by submerged fermentation of Batkoa. We aim to develop specific formulations for Batkoa sp. using co-formulants with different purposes and drying techniques such as spray-dryer and encapsulation of the propagules. We will determine the shelf life of the formulations developed and evaluate their bioefficacy on selected pests. This project aims to provide scientific bases to enable an innovative product in the market for biological control of agricultural pests. (AU)