The effect of application time and soil factors on the occurrence of Beauveria brongniartii applied as a biological control agent in soil

The effects of abiotic and biotic soil factors on occurrence of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria brongniartii after application at different times of the year were examined in Switzerland. Applications made from May to August generally resulted in an increase of 1-5 x 10(3) CFU g(-1) dry soil compared to untreated control plots. Conversely, soils treated in October and November yielded no increase. Soil temperatures between 20 and 25 degreesC, and high clay content of the soil had a positive effect on the occurrence and density of B. brongniartii whereas increased catalase activity and temperatures above 27 degreesC had a negative influence. Laboratory experiments revealed that a higher number of CFUs developed after one month of incubation at 22 degreesC than at 12 degreesC. Differences were not detected after three months of incubation, indicating that growth rate was simply slower at sub-optimal temperatures. The increase was different in three native soils, but was not correlated with different clay contents of the soil. In sterilized soil, though, the differences were not detected, suggesting that biotic factors have a greater influence rather than soil texture. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.