Increased heat tolerance afforded by oil-based conidial formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium robertsii

The thermotolerance of oil-based conidial formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. (IP 46) and Metarhizium robertsii (ARSEF 2575) were investigated. Conidia of IP 46 or ARSEF 2575 were suspended in different adjuvants and exposed to 45 ± 0.2°C for 4, 6, 8 or 24 h; their viability was then assessed after 48 h incubation at 27 ± 1°C. Conidia heated in pure mineral or vegetable oil exhibited mean relative viability exceeding 70% after 8 h of heat exposure, whereas low germination (≤20%) was observed when conidia were heated in water (Tween 80® 0.01%), carboxymethyl cellulose gel or emulsifiable oils (Graxol® or Assist®) and exposed to heat for 6 or 8 h. In addition, conidia of IP 46 suspended in either pure mineral or canola oil and exposed to heat for 48 h had moderate viability, 57% or 41%, respectively. Unstable oil-in-water emulsions showed a higher percentage of conidia incorporated into oil micellae, while the stable emulsions had higher percentage of conidia outside the oil micellae. The thermotolerance of conidia formulated in stable emulsions, however, did not differ from that of conidia formulated in unstable emulsions. The present study highlights possibilities to alleviate the deleterious effects of heat stress towards Metarhizium spp. conidia applied for controlling arthropod pests and vectors through oil-based formulations.