ABSTRACT
Displacement of Conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae in Columns of Three Soil Series

Ana María Salazar P.1, Macarena Gerding G.2, Andrés France I.1*, Jorge Campos P.2, Marcos Gerding P.1 y Marco Sandoval E.2
 

The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae isolation Qu-M270 is a promising control agent for the wheat white grub (Hylamorpha elegans Burm.), a Chilean scarabeid species whose larvae feed on roots of diverse crops and move in soil up to a depth of 25 cm . In this study, the vertical movement of Qu- M270 conidias suspended in water was evaluated in three soil series from the Bío-Bío Region (36°32’ S lat; 71°55’ W long), Chile. Soil was obtained using PVC pipes 30 cm long by 20 cm in diameter. Conidia recovery was performed in a specific medium for Metarhizium anisopliae, by counting colony forming units in 1 g of dry soil. The Quella series (Aquic Durixerets) was more restrictive to the percolation of conidia, which were concentrated at the first 10 cm . With the Arenales series (Dystric Xeropsamments), conidia were found below 15 cm and in percolated liquids. On the other hand, the Mirador series (Ultic Palexeralf) had a uniform distribution of conidia at every depth.

Keywords: biological control, entomopathogenic fungus, infiltration, Hylamorpha elegans, biopesticide.
1 Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Centro Regional de Investigación Quilamapu, Casilla 426, Chillán, Chile. E-mail: afrance@inia.cl *Autor para correspondencia
2 Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Agronomía, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, Chillán, Chile.