Effect of the endophytic colonization of Beauveria bassiana on the population density of peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and the growth parameters of plants

Abstract

Endophytic properties of entomopathogenic fungi currently receive considerable attention from the scientific community. In the present work, it was shown that the fungus Beauveria bassiana (strain BBK-1) is able to successfully colonize broad bean and sweet pepper plants under laboratory conditions. The green peach aphid actively bred on both plant species. The density of aphids developing on plants colonized by B. bassiana was significantly lower as compared to the control, both on peppers and beans. The growth-stimulating effect of endophytic colonization by B. bassiana was less pronounced on beans, while on sweet pepper plants, a significant increase in plant height and an earlier onset of the budding were found. The observed effects indicate that B. bassiana has a potential to be used as a polyfunctional biocontrol agent in agricultural practice.