Abstract

GONZALEZ, Claudia E.; ALBRECHT, Mónica L.; BICH, Gustavo A.  and  CASTRILLO, María L.. Survey of entomopathogenic fungal diversity associated with organic crops of yerba mate in Paraguay. Rev. Soc. cient. Parag. [online]. 2023, vol.28, n.1, pp.100-112. ISSN 2617-4731.  https://doi.org/10.32480/rscp.2023.28.1.100.

Abstract: In the present contribution, the survey of entomopathogenic fungal diversity associated with organic yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) crops allowed the identification of fungi with bioinsecticidal potential of great importance for pest management in organic crops. For this purpose, samples collected from 12 georeferenced sites of certified organic yerba mate plantations in the district of Bella Vista, Itapúa, were analyzed. Isolation and characterization of all fungal strains found in samples of live and dead insects was performed. The direct seeding plate methodology was applied and the colonies were analyzed macro and microscopically. As a result, and with favorable environmental conditions, it was possible to isolate the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria as well as the genera Alternaria, Rhizopus, Absidia, Mucor, Aspergillus and Fusarium infecting dead insect tissues. In all sampling sites, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Fusarium genera were abundant and were preserved in straparia for future pathogenicity tests. The low frequency in which entomopathogenic fungi were found could be due to the intense droughts that occurred during the months of December/2021 to February/2022, drastically affecting the presence of insect pests and fungi sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Keywords : diversity; entomopathogenic fungi; organic yerba mate..

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