Mass Production and Commercial Formulation of Paecilomyces lilacinus

The opportunistic nematode egg parasitic fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus was mass produced in different liquid media for evaluation of spore production and formulation. The culture media include Potato dextrose broth (PDB), Richards's medium, 10% Molasses and Semi selective medium. The Semi selective medium served as control. The fungal biomass and spore load was estimated. Highest mycelial weight was found in Semi selective medium (19.82 g), followed by 10% Molasses medium (16.85 g). The least mycelial weight was found in PDB (10.5 g). Highest spore load was found in Semi selective medium (32.8 X 10⁷ cfu/g) followed by 10% molasses medium (28.8 X 10⁷ cfu/g). The least spore production was found in PDB (10.3 X 10⁷ cfu/g). The mass produced fungus was formulated with different carrier materials like fly ash, vermiculite, rice hull ash and talc. The viability of the spores were tested at frequent intervals. The viability of the fungus lasted for 120 days in talc and fly ash. Rice hull ash and vermiculite had a viability period of 90 and 75 days respectively.