Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae) using Different Grains as a Substrate

Investigations were carried out towards the “Mass production of entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae) using different grains as a substrate” at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad during 2016-17. The accomplishment of microbial control of insect pests, the successful mass production of the microbial agents in the laboratory significant availability of the pathogen is a primary requirement in the biocontrol programme. Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus which is used against a number of insect pests‟ management and very successful biopesticides in integrated pest management practices to reduces the cost of production and minimize the environment and public health hazard. To develop a proficient method for the deployment of this fungus as a bio control agent, various grains and liquid media such as Potato Dextrose Broth and Sabouraud‟s Dextrose Broth were screened. Significantly highest conidial count (67.6 × 103 spores/ml) was observed on green gram followed by sorghum in 103 dilutions, the assessment fungus whereas SDB produced significantly higher spore production of the fungi. Highest conidial count (63.7 × 103 spores/ml) was observed on SDB media followed by PDB in 103.