Distribution and pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana in soil with earthworm action and feeding

Earthworm action and feeding have an important impact on a variety of microorganisms in the soil. However, the effects of the earthworm on Beauveria bassiana, a common entomopathogenic fungus in the biological control of pests, have been little studied. In this study, the epigeic earthworm species E...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2022-10, Vol.17 (10), p.e0275826-e0275826
Main Authors: Zhou, Xibei, Liang, Wulong, Zhang, Yanfeng, C. Crabbe, M. James, Ren, Zhumei, Xie, Yingping
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Analysis
Beauveria bassiana
Biological control
Biology and Life Sciences
Biomass
Distribution
Earth Sciences
Earthworms
Entomopathogenic fungi
Feeding
Fruits
Fungi
Germination
Humidity
Infections
Insects
Laboratories
Larvae
Medicine and Health Sciences
Microorganisms
Nematodes
Oligochaeta
Pathogenicity
Pathogens
Pest control
Pests
Soil microbiology
Soil microorganisms
Soils
Spore germination
Spores
Worms
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Summary:Earthworm action and feeding have an important impact on a variety of microorganisms in the soil. However, the effects of the earthworm on Beauveria bassiana, a common entomopathogenic fungus in the biological control of pests, have been little studied. In this study, the epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida (Savigny) was selected to evaluate its impact on B. bassiana TST05 including its distribution in soil and its pathogenicity to target insects. By testing B. bassiana TST05 distribution, biomass in soil, viable spore germination rate, and pathogenicity to insect larvae after passing through the earthworm gut, the results showed that the activity and feeding of E. fetida promoted the B. bassiana TST05 diffusing downwards in the soil, while decreasing active fungal spores. After passing through the earthworm gut and excretion, the living B. bassiana individuals still had activity and pathogenicity to insects. The germination rate of the viable fungal spores was 15.09% and the infection rate to the insect larvae of Atrijuglans hetaohei Yang reached 62.35%, 80.95% and 100% after infection at 7 d, 10 d, and 14 d, respectively. The results showed that action and feeding of earthworms promoted the distribution of B. bassiana TST05 in soil, but decreased B. bassiana viable spores. This study is important for understanding the interaction between earthworms and B. bassiana in soil and for guiding the scientific application of B. bassiana in the biological control of pests.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0275826