Evaluation of different substrates for mass multiplication of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin

Different substrates viz. sorghum, maize, pearl millet, barnyard millet (Echinocloa frumentacae) and cow dung were evaluated for mass multiplication of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. Sorghum grains were found to be best and exhibited maximum population (6.32 × 10⁹ cfu) followed by maize (each grain broken into 8–10 pieces) with 5.77 × 109 cfu and barnyard millet (5.08 × 10⁹ cfu), respectively. Addition of 1 per cent sucrose increased the growth and sporulation of B. bassiana in sorghum (6.65 × 10⁹ cfu) and barnyard millet (6.24 × 10⁹ cfu). However, population of B. bassiana was significantly reduced in sorghum and barnyard millet grains when amended with 2 per cent sucrose.