In vitro compatibility between Beauveria bassiana and castor oil

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin and castor oil are promising tools for integrated pest management. This work determined concentrations of castor oil that are biologically compatible with B. bassiana isolates. In the compatibility test, five isolates of B. bassiana and seven concentrations of castor oil were used. The experimental design was completely randomized in the factorial scheme 5 x 7 (isolates of B. bassiana x concentration of castor oil), totaling 35 treatments. The biological parameters germination, vegetative growth and sporulation were evaluated and used to calculate the biological index (BI). The CCA-UFES/ Bb-4 isolate showed the conidia germination and sporulation always equal to or greater than the other isolates, in all concentrations of castor oil. The CCA-UFES/Bb-11 isolate showed vegetative growth equal to or greater than the other isolates, except at 0.5% (v/v) of castor oil. The degree of fungitoxicity of castor oil varies according to B. bassiana isolate.