• S. Nagalakshmi
• T. Amsa
• S. Sithanantham
• M.S. Nalina Sundari

The rice moth Corcyra cephalonica is an important pest of stored grains. The eco safe alternatives to controlling the larval stages of C. cephalonica include microbial biopesticide like Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Considering the scope for co-application of both these fungal bio control agents with plant disease antagonist (like Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride), there is need to ascertain their compatibility, especially among alternative strains. In the present study three strains each of B.bassiana and M. anisopliae were assessed for their compatibility between these two entomopathogens and also with one strain each of P. fluorescens, B. subtilis and T. viride. In case of B.bassiana the overall trend was that it was compatible with all three strains of M.anisopliae besides with the single strain of P. fluorescens and T. viride. Only in e case of B. subtilis, the three B. bassiana strains showed considerable incompatibility. The three strains of M. anisopliae showed statisfactory compatibility with three strains of B. bassiana besides also with one strain each of P. fluorescens, B. subtilis and T. viride. Further, two M. anisopliae strains appeared to be more compatible with each B. bassiana strain. In conclusion the interaction of strains of B.bassiana and M. anisopliae was mostly positive, except that the combination with T. viride. The result we discussed in the context of scope for co application of alternative fungal/ bacterial biocontrol agent. Studies on sporulation of B.bassiana strains in different combinations showed that it was maximum in B. Subtilis, closely followed by B.bassiana alone). In case of M. anisopliae strain (SBI), it was found to be maximum with P. fluorescens followed by 3.35 in with T. viride. In case of the three M. anisopliae strains combined with three B. bassiana strains, B.bassiana TNAU) was found to be next in positive interaction. These results are discussed in the context of their future utilization.

Corcyra cephalonica, B.bassiana, M. anisopliae, compatibility, eco safety, biopesticides.

"Compatibility studies in three strains among two fungal entomopathogens - Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no.769-774, January-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901600.pdf

"Compatibility studies in three strains among two fungal entomopathogens - Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no. pp769-774, January-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901600.pdf