In vitro compatibility with soybean agrochemicals and storage stability studies of the Beauveria bassiana biopesticide
Jennifer Lorena García-Riaño, Lissette Torres-Torres, Adriana Marcela Santos Díaz, Erika Paola Grijalba Bernal
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana is an insect pathogen with a significant host range and specificity. A biopesticide was developed as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) using B. bassiana strain Bv060 to be integrated into soybean production systems. The aim of this study was to assess the storage stability and in vitro compatibility of this biopesticide with recommended fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides commonly used in soybean cropping. In vitro compatibility was evaluated using response variables conidia germination (%) and viability (CFU/mL). The biopesticide was compatible with several insecticides and herbicides (except Gramoxone® after 6 contact hours) but was incompatible with all the fungicides evaluated. The EC storage stability was evaluated at 8°C, 18°C and 28°C for six months. Conidial germination was maintained at >80% for 6 months under all temperatures assessed. Germination kinetics were used to estimate the shelf-life of the biopesticide by using different mathematical models. The results obtained can be used in the implementation of this biopesticide based in B. bassiana (Bv060) in an integrated pest management program.