Dataset Information

Phenotypic, molecular, and virulence characterization of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Balsam) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin from soil samples of Ethiopia for the development of mycoinsecticide.

ABSTRACT: Fungal entomopathogens are the most effective biocontrol agents against insect pests in the natural ecosystem. This study was conducted for phenotypic, molecular, and virulence characterization of locally isolated entomopathogenic fungi from soil samples of six localities in Ethiopia. Entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from 120 soil samples with the galleria baiting method. A total of 65 (54.2%) entomopathogenic fungal isolates belongs to Beauveria spp and Metarhizium spp were identified based on cultural and morphological features. All isolates were pre-screened based on germination, vegetative growth rate, and spore production as fungal in-vitro virulence determinates. Isolate AAUKB-11 displayed the peak germination of 99.67% and isolate AAUMFB-77 achieved the highest radial growth rate of 3.43 mm day^-1 with the highest sporulation 4.60 × 10⁸spores/ml. The phylogenetic analysis of ITS-rDNA confirmed that 7 isolates were identified as B. bassiana and 5 isolates were categorized into M. anisopliae. Selected B. bassiana and M. anisopliae strains were evaluated for their pathogenicity efficiency against G. mellonella larvae and caused 86.67%-100% mortality. The mortality rates of G. mellonella larvae peaked at 100% with 4(33.33%) isolates from B. bassiana and 2(16.67%) isolates from M. anisopliae after 10 days of treatments. The high virulent isolate, B. bassiana AAUMB-29 displayed the least LT₅₀ value of 2.36 days followed by isolate B. bassiana AAUMFB-77 with LT₅₀ of 2.53 days. Future studies should be needed to focus on the evaluation of high virulent isolates against other potential insect pests to assess their vigorous role as favorable biological control agents.

SUBMITTER: Gebremariam A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8166759 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Metarhizium spp. are being used as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides, as model systems for studying insect-fungus interactions, and as a resource of genes for biotechnology. We present a comparative analysis of the genome sequences of the broad-spectrum insect pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae and the acridid-specific M. acridum. Whole-genome analyses indicate that the genome structures of these two species are highly syntenic and suggest that the genus Metarhizium evolved from plant endophytes or pathogens. Both M. anisopliae and M. acridum have a strikingly larger proportion of genes encoding secreted proteins than other fungi, while ~30% of these have no functionally characterized homologs, suggesting hitherto unsuspected interactions between fungal pathogens and insects. The analysis of transposase genes provided evidence of repeat-induced point mutations occurring in M. acridum but not in M. anisopliae. With the help of pathogen-host interaction gene database, ~16% of Metarhizium genes were identified that are similar to experimentally verified genes involved in pathogenicity in other fungi, particularly plant pathogens. However, relative to M. acridum, M. anisopliae has evolved with many expanded gene families of proteases, chitinases, cytochrome P450s, polyketide synthases, and nonribosomal peptide synthetases for cuticle-degradation, detoxification, and toxin biosynthesis that may facilitate its ability to adapt to heterogeneous environments. Transcriptional analysis of both fungi during early infection processes provided further insights into the genes and pathways involved in infectivity and specificity. Of particular note, M. acridum transcribed distinct G-protein coupled receptors on cuticles from locusts (the natural hosts) and cockroaches, whereas M. anisopliae transcribed the same receptor on both hosts. This study will facilitate the identification of virulence genes and the development of improved biocontrol strains with customized properties.

Project description:Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are the natural enemies of insect-pests. However, EPF recoveries can be influenced by the soil habitat-type(s) incorporated and/or the bait-insect(s) used. Galleriamellonella (GM) as bait-insect, i.e. 'Galleria-bait', is arguably the most common methodology, which is sometimes used solely, to isolate EPF from soils. Insect baiting using Tenebriomolitor (TM) has also been employed occasionally. Here 183 soils were used to estimate the functional diversity of EPF in Portuguese Douro vineyards (cultivated habitat) and adjacent hedgerows (semi-natural habitat), using the TM bait method. Moreover, to study the effect of insect baiting on EPF recovery, 81 of these 183 soil samples were also tested for EPF occurrences using the GM bait method. Twelve species were found in 44.26% ± 3.67% of the total of 183 soils. Clonostachysroseaf.rosea was found in maximum soils (30.05% ± 3.38%), followed by Beauveriabassiana (12.57% ± 2.37%), Purpureocilliumlilacinum (9.29% ± 2.14%) and Metarhiziumrobertsii (6.01% ± 1.75%). Beauveriapseudobassiana (P < 0.001), C.roseaf.rosea (P = 0.006) and Cordycepscicadae (P=0.023) were isolated significantly more from hedgerows, highlighting their sensitivities towards agricultural disturbances. Beauveriabassiana (P = 0.038) and M.robertsii (P = 0.003) were isolated significantly more using GM and TM, respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that M.robertsii was associated both with TM baiting and cultivated habitats, however, B.bassiana was slightly linked with GM baiting only. Ecological profiles of B.bassiana and P.lilacinum were quite similar while M.robertsii and C.roseaf.rosea were relatively distant and distinct. To us, this is the first report on (a) C.cicadae isolation from Mediterranean soils, (b) Purpureocilliumlavendulum as an EPF worldwide; and (c) significant recoveries of M.robertsii using TM over GM. Overall, a 'Galleria-Tenebrio-bait method' is advocated to study the functional diversity of EPF in agroecosystems.

Dataset Information

Phenotypic, molecular, and virulence characterization of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Balsam) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin from soil samples of Ethiopia for the development of mycoinsecticide.

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