Characterization of Native Beauveria bassiana Strains Isolated from Soils and Their Potential for the Biological Control of Cosmopolites sordidus in Ecuador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28940/terralatinoamericana.v44i.2446Keywords:
banana, biotechnology, entomopathogens, weevil, rhizosphereAbstract
The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is widely recognized for its ef ficacy in the biological control of Cosmopolites sordidus (banana weevil). However, limited information is available regarding the entomopathogenic potential of native Ecuadorian strains. This knowledge gap restricts the selection of isolates with greater virulence, local adaptation, or field persistence. The objective of this study was to characterize four native strains of B. bassiana isolated from the banana rhizosphere at the molecular, microscopic, and macroscopic levels, and to evaluate their ef fectiveness in controlling C. sordidus under controlled laboratory conditions. The isolates, coded as LM012, MCB17, MCA1424, and BBAL31, were identified as B. bassiana, exhibiting high sequence similarity with known reference strains. The isolates displayed dif ferences in colonial morphology, mainly in growth pattern, color, texture, and elevation, reflecting phenotypic diversity among strains. biotechnological tool for pest control. Exposure of C. sordidus adults to suspensions of the four B. bassiana isolates at a concentration of 1×109 conidia mL-1 resulted in 100% mortality, while imidacloprid insecticide reached 50% mortality. The LT₅₀ values were 12, 15, 13, and 11 days for LM012, MCB17, MCA1424, and BBAL31, respectively, whereas for imidacloprid it was 59 days. Additionally, no significant dif ferences were observed in the percentage of B. bassiana colonization on the body of C. sordidus adults
(p > 0.001). The results obtained provide relevant evidence on the ef ficacy and versatility of B. bassiana as a contributing to the strengthening of ecological approaches in crop protection and the development of more sustainable and environmentally safe integrated pest management strategies.
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