Temperature and media effects on growth rate of V. lecanii

Abstract EN

Some aspects of the entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii were studied during 1996-1998.

V.

lecanii is a promising entomopathogen due to its environmental acceptability .

Results showed that it could grow on different media but Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA )+1% yeast extract was found to be the best in terms of growth rate followed by Malt extract medium and Selective Medium for Verticillium dahlia, but PDA was ranked the least medium to favor the V.

lecanii growth .

High temperatures had a negative effect on the growth rate of the fungus.

Vertalic strain of V.

lecanii as it could not grow at 35°C.

The optimum temperature for fungal growth was 21 °C for all types of tested media .

It could grow at lower temperature as 8°C , but at low rate .Chicken manure could act as a carrier substrate for the fungus where it could survive for more than three months at room temperature.