Effect of fungicides on growth, germination and cuticle-degrading enzyme production by Lecanicillium muscarium

Lecanicillium muscarium Zare and Gams (previously known as Verticillium lecanii) is a well-known pathogen of arthropods. The influence of six fungicides on growth, sporulation, conidial germination and cuticle-degrading enzyme production by L. muscarium was investigated under laboratory conditions. The maximum reduction in vegetative growth, sporulation and conidial germination in relation to the control treatment was observed for propiconazole, whereas mancozeb and chlorothalonil caused the lowest reduction in these parameters. Propiconazole and pyraclostrobin caused higher reduction in enzyme activities (chitinase, Pr1, Pr2 and lipase) at all three concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 mu g/ml), whereas low reduction in enzyme activities was caused by chlorothalonil and mancozeb when used at 10 mu g/ml. The data presented can be used for future recommendations of these fungicides in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes where L. muscarium is an important control agent.