When Competitors Join Forces: Consortia of Entomopathogenic Microorganisms Increase Killing Speed and Mortality in Leaf- and Root-Feeding Insect Hosts.

ABSTRACT: Combining different biocontrol agents (BCA) is an approach to increase efficacy and reliability of biological control. If several BCA are applied together, they have to be compatible and ideally work together. We studied the interaction of a previously selected BCA consortium of entomopathogenic pseudomonads (Pseudomonas chlororaphis), nematodes (Steinernema feltiae associated with Xenorhabdus bovienii), and fungi (Metarhizium brunneum). We monitored the infection course in a leaf- (Pieris brassicae) and a root-feeding (Diabrotica balteata) pest insect after simultaneous application of the three BCA as well as their interactions inside the larvae in a laboratory setting. The triple combination caused the highest mortality and increased killing speed compared to single applications against

SUBMITTER: Spescha A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10497674 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature