Natural occurrence and distribution of soil borne entomopathogenic fungi in shahrood region, northeast of Iran

Abstract

The study investigated the occurrence of soil borne entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in potato, wheat, sugar beet, alfalfa fields and orchards. A total of 150 soil samples were collected and EPF were isolated using Galleria method. Soil pH was rages from 6.8 to 8.1 and soil texture was sandy, loam, sandy- loam, clay and sandy-loam-clay. Soil borne EPF occurred at 78% of soil samples from which 40% Beauveria bassiana, 21% Metarhizium anisopliae and 17% had both species. Occurrence and distribution of EPF was not significantly affected by pH and texture of soil samples. Although Shahrood region is located at dry climate but this study showed that its soil is rich of EPF. Fungal pathogens collected from this soil survey will serve as a source of potential biological control agents of soil borne pests.