Alginate Pellet Formulation of a Beauveria bassiana (Fungi: Hyphomycetes) Isolate Pathogenic to Cereal Aphids

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Abstract
An isolate of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuille minderived from aphids was grown in liquid media and formulated in alginate pellets with or without the addition of wheat bran. Biomass production in Sabouraud’s broth + 1% yeast extract (SBY) was significantly higher than in potato dextrose broth. After 1 wk in SBY, yields averaged 3,080 pellets per liter. Pellets without bran weighed an average of 4.6 mg each, and pellets with bran weighed 9.4 mg each. After 5 rno storage, the fungus sporulated more profusely from pellets with bran (2.5 x lOS conidia per pellet) than from pellets without bran (1.8 x lOS conidia per pellet). Sporulating pellets were placed on wheat seedling infested with green bug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and incubated at high humidity. After 9-15 d, 3-44% of aphids killed by Beauveria were observed on wheat where pellets were added versus 0% in controls. The potential for use of pelletized B. bassiana for aphid control is discussed.