Investigations on interaction between entomopathogenic fungi with varying concentration levels of insecticides: A laboratory assessment

In laboratory conditions compatibility of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae was tested against different concentrations of two insecticides using poison food technique. The tested concentrations against these entomopathogenic fungi showed that spinosad concentration 0.005% was compatible (Radial growth = 65.75 mm, spores = 37.00 × 10⁴ spores/ml and T value = 62.82) and 0.01% was toxic (Radial growth = 65.75 mm, spores = 20.56 × 10⁴ spores/ml and T value = 40.89) to B. bassiana. For M. anisopliae, the same concentrations were compatible (Radial growth = 77.50 mm, spores = 43.69 × 10⁴ spores/ml and T value = 66.54) and moderately toxic (Radial growth = 68.25 mm, spores = 32.94 × 10⁴ spores/ml and T value = 52.36), respectively. Moreover, all concentrations of emamectin benzoate were very toxic to both entomopathogenic fungi.