Aislamiento y caracterización de hongos entomopatógenos presentes en el suelo de las diferentes zonas agrícolas de la Provincia de Tungurahua

Abstract

The research was developed in the in vitro culture laboratory of the BIOSEBORGANICS CIA Company. LTDA., In the period November 2020 - May 2021. 23 soil samples were collected from different agricultural sectors of the Province of Tungurahua: Pelileo (6), Santa Rosa (4), Unamuncho (6) and Quisapincha (7). Galleria mellonella larvae were used as a bait trap to detect, isolate and purify entomopathogenic fungi, obtaining 200 larvae to evaluate per generation. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic characterization, the percentage of 56.52 samples gave positive results regarding the presence of fungi. Metarhizium sp. It was detected in 10 strains (percentage of 45.45) presenting cottony characteristics of olive green color in the center, irregular mycelium and a greenish-yellow coloration on the reverse; Candelabrum-shaped branched conidiophores with two or three branches each, slightly ellipsoidal cylindrical conidia, forming long chains, some attached laterally. Beauveria sp. in 7 strains (percentage 31.82) with a white cottony texture, irregular mycelium and a yellow coloration on the reverse; conidiogenic cells typical of the species and sub globose-ellipsoidal conidia and Paecilomyces sp. in 5 strains (percentage equal to 22.73) of cottony initial texture of grayish brown color, irregular mycelium and cream color on the back; It presented branched conidiophores with up to six phialides and ovoid conidia. These entomopathogenic fungi found in the different agricultural areas of Tungurahua open the field for the control of pests that affect the crops of the region through Biotechnology.