Author
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Jackson, Mark |
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Submitted to: Society of Industrial Microbiology Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 8/13/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The unique ability of selected fungi to actively infect and kill weeds and insects has led to their selection and development as microbial biopesticides. The commercial development of fungal pathogens as biopesticides requires cost-effective methods for propagule production. In addition to the economic constraints associated with production, the fungal propagules produced must be stable and effective in infecting and killing the target weed or insect pest. Solid substrate fermentation, liquid culture fermentation and two-phase production systems, using both liquid and solid substrate production methods, have been employed to produce fungal spores and mycelial preparations. This talk will address the strengths and weaknesses of these production systems and describe the biological and economical factors which dictate their use. The impact of nutrition and environment on propagule form, stability and effectiveness will also be examined. Our work on the liquid culture production of conidia and microsclerotia of Colletotrichum truncatum, a fungal pathogen of the weed hemp sesbania, will be used to demonstrate the impact of nutrition on the production process. The ecological relevance to the use of C. truncatum sclerotia or conidia in weed biocontrol will be addressed. |
