Very interesting results, although based on my own research I suspect that the actual mechanisms for the observed effects have to do with induction of systemic resistance by exposure to the conidia, rather than the actual endophytism presence. Lots of microorganisms have been shown to induce SR in a wide range of plants, and this phenomenon has become accepted in the plant pathology community. Also, I have to note my gears that EU regulators are getting very nervous about the endophytic nature of these entomopathogenic fungi and the metabolites they may be releasing. I fear that EU, and maybe even USEPA, too, will increase data requirements for registration, data to reflect the safety of produce colonized by Beauveria etc. We already saw this with the Austrian uproar about oosporein released into the environment in infected pasture grubs. Considerable research hard to demonstrate that they amount of this metabolite was of no concern, and registration of a Beauveria was greatly delayed.
Great job. Which method did you apply to get a successful colonization of endophytic fungi?
Best method was a foliar spray using a good wetting agent and, in the lab, 24 hours of incubation at ~100% humidity. I got good field establishment with foliar sprays but with a formulation that is at present proprietary, until USDA patent issues. Optimal stage of wheat (accommodating timing of infestation by the sawfly at late stem elongation, esp. 3 node stage) was late tillering but before elongation. Again, seed treatments just did not work, nor did root dips, no matter what we tried. And again I caution about insufficient plant decontamination. I believe many published reports are biased because, in reality, the plants were not properly decontaminated of surface fungus residues. I have proven for myself that the QC step of plating the second water rinse, as given in many papers, is misleading. Only leaf impressions, stem rolls on PDA is sufficient QC step.
entomopathogenic fungi possible be a endophytic fungi and useful for plants
D. Jaronski, I found your job interesting but in my initial experment, I found seedling irrigation with spore suspention is the best method until now. My work is on cucumber plant not citrus
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