Effect of various adjuvants on growth and development of the entomopathogenic fungus, Verticillium lecanii (Zimmermann) Viegas

Studies on the effect of various adjuvants on growth and development of Verticillium lecanii (Zimmermann) Viegas was undertaken with a view to select suitable adjuvant for developing liquid formulation. The study revealed that there was increase in surface area covered (%) and biomass produced (gm) with increase in concentration of the inoculum. Among the different oils tested, significant surface area coverage was recorded in arachid oil @ 1.0 per cent followed by 0.1 to 0.5 per cent, respectively. Similar result was recorded in biomass production. Addition of arachid oil @ 1.0 per cent recorded maximum biomass of 28.40 g, followed by 0.5 per cent (25.2 g) and 0.1 per cent (23.5 g), respectively. Addition of oils and stickers resulted in increased surface area growth significantly. Addition of arachnid oil @ 5 per cent resulted in maximum surface area of biomass. Based on the results it is concluded that arachid oil could be used as adjuvant in the liquid formulation of V. lecanii isolated from spiraling whitefly.