Compatibility of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi with biorationals

In this study, Metarhizium rileyi isolates (M. rileyi NIPHM, M. rileyi MTCC 4254 and M. rileyi MTCC 10395) were evaluated for their compatibility with other entomopathogenic fungi viz. Metarhizium anisopliae NBAIR (Ma-35), commercial formulation of M. anisopliae, M. anisopliae (Local), Beauveria bassiana ITCC 7126, B. bassiana (Local) and commercial formulation of Verticillium lecanii and neem based formulations- (azadirachtin 0.03%EC) and (azadirachtin 0.15%EC) along with synthetic insecticide spinetoram 11.7%SC. Neem-based formulations viz., azadirachtin 0.03% EC 1.5 ml/l and 0.15%EC 5 ml/l reduced M. rileyi MTCC 4254 growth by 44.77% and 53.73% over control, respectively; M. rileyi MTCC 4254 was more compatible with M. anisopliae NBAIR (Ma-35) and commercial formulation of M. anisopliae with less reduction in growth (24.3% and 24.9%, respectively); but it was least compatible with commercial formulation of V. lecanii. M. rileyi MTCC 4254 recorded 71.64% reduction with spinetoram 11.7% SC (0.4 ml/l). Thus, M. rileyi was compatible with M. anisopliae NBAIR (Ma-35), M. anisopliae followed by azadirachtin 0.03% EC, and these could be used as components in IPM.