COMPATIBILITY OF NEUTRAL DETERGENT WITH THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGUS METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE (METSCH.) SOROK.

ABSTRACT Entomopathogenic fungi have been widely used in pests control. The main diluent for its application in the field is water, and due to its hydrophobic character, its dispersion in the environment is complicated. Several products may be mixed to the sprays, allowing the dissolution and the dispersion of the fungus in the spray. Yet, some of these products may influence in the viability, sporulation or even in its genetic composition, changing its virulence. This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of a neutral detergent about the viability of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Three different concentrations of a neutral detergent (Ipê®) were used: 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.03% and an adhesive spreader (Tween 80) was used in the control. The percentage of conidia germination, the number of colony forming units (CFU), vegetative growth and the number of produced conidia were evaluated. There was no effect of the different concentrations of the neutral detergent on the germination. All detergent concentrations affected negatively in the vegetative growth of the fungus. Only the detergent at 0.01% of concentration did not affect the CFU number and the conidia production of the fungus. So, this is the only concentration classified as compatible for M. anisopliae, which may be recommended to promote the conidia dispersion of this fungus species in water.