Biological pest control with mass-produced arthropod natural enemies is well developed in greenhouse crops and has often resulted in the evolution of complex ecosystems with persistent populations of multiple arthropod natural enemy species. However, there are cases where arthropod natural enemies are either not effective enough, not available, or their use is rather costly. For these reasons, biological control based on microorganisms, also referred to as ‘microbials’, represents a complementary strategy for further development. Although commercially available microbials have been around for quite some time, research on and the applied use of combinations of arthropod natural enemies and microbials have remained relatively under explored. Here, we review current uses of entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses, and their possible direct and indirect effects on arthropod natural enemies in European greenhouses. We discuss how microbials might be combined with arthropod natural enemies in the light of new methodologies and technologies such as conservation biological control, greenhouse climate management, and formulation and delivery. Furthermore, we explore the possibilities of using other microorganisms for biological control, such as endophytes, and the need to understand the effect of insect-associated microorganisms, or symbionts, on the success of biological control. Finally, we suggest future research directions to optimize the combined use of microbials and arthropod natural enemies in greenhouse production.
A culture independent method based on qPCR was developed for the detection and quantification of two fungal inoculants in soil. The aim was to adapt a genotyping approach based on SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) marker to a discriminating tracing of two different species of bioinoculants in soil, after their in-field release. Two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and B. brongniartii, were traced and quantified in soil samples obtained from field trials. These two fungal species were used as biological agents in Poland to control Melolontha melolontha (European cockchafer), whose larvae live in soil menacing horticultural crops. Specificity of SSR markers was verified using controls consisting of: i) soil samples containing fungal spores of B. bassiana and B. brongniartii in known dilutions; ii) the DNA of the fungal microorganisms; iii) soil samples singly inoculated with each fungus species. An initial evaluation of the protocol was performed with analyses of soil DNA and mycelial DNA. Further, the simultaneous detection and quantification of B. bassiana and B. brongniartii in soil was achieved in field samples after application of the bio-inoculants. The protocol can be considered as a relatively low cost solution for the detection, identification and traceability of fungal bio-inoculants in soil.
This paper presents the results of the first short-term inventory of fungi species occurring in the Biebrza National Park, one of the biggest and best preserved protected areas of Poland. The paper is focused on a survey of microfungi. Fungi were collected in early autumn 2012, within the framework of a scientific project by the Polish Mycological Society. The results are published in two parts containing micro- and macromycetes, respectively. An annotated list of 188 identified taxa covers true fungi including 33 zygomycetes, 130 ascomycetes (including anamorphs) and 22 basidiomycetes, as well as two chromistan and one protozoan fungal analogues. The identified fungi taxa, inhabiting diverse ecological niches, represent a wide range of trophic groups including saprotrophs, biotrofic and necrotrophic parasites of plants, pathogens of arthropods, fungicolous fungi and species isolated from soil and organic matter. From 188 annotated taxa, 89% (167 species) have not been recorded in the Biebrza National Park until now and four species are newly reported for Poland (<em>Alternaria nobilis, Clonostachys solani, Mariannaea elegans, Metasphaeria cumana</em>). Data on the species richness and taxonomic diversity of the identified fungi are briefly commented in terms of micromycetes role in managing nature conservation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.