Molecular Characterization and Endophytic Colonization of a Native Beauveria bassiana Isolate in Maize: Effects on Plant Growth and Spodoptera frugiperda Herbivory

Endophytic colonization of Eucalyptus by Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae and their effects on plant growth

Abstract Entomopathogenic fungi are effective biological control agents for pest management, also demonstrating several benefits to host plants when acting as endophytes. These fungi benefit from the host’s nutrition and protection, while plants gain greater resistance to herbivores, pathogens, and other biotic stresses. This study evaluated one isolate each of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin for their endophytic colonization ability and growth-promotion effects in Eucalyptus L’Hér plants. Two methods of artificial inoculation, stem injection and foliar spraying, were used for both fungal species and performed at 0, 15, 30, and 45 days after inoculation. Both fungal isolates successfully colonized Eucalyptus tissues during all evaluated periods. The colonized Eucalyptus plants showed increased number of leaves and branches after endophytic colonization by B. bassiana. M. anisopliae had a higher colonization rate when inoculated by both methods (stem injection and foliar spraying). The positive effects of endophytic colonization on plant growth are associated with the production of bioactive metabolites by the species, via mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. Endophytic isolates offer strategies that may contribute to pest management in Eucalyptus plantations.

Growth promotion in tomato by endophytic entomopathogenic and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: impacts on early development and post-transplant effect.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a globally significant crop valued for its nutritional content and economic importance. This study evaluated the effect of individual and combined inoculation of two growth-promoting microorganisms in tomato: the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis. The research was conducted in chamber conditions using tomato plants cultivar Elpida, at two developmental stages: seedlings and transplanted plants. Colonization of B. bassiana in plant tissues was confirmed by isolation from different organs, showing a higher presence in stems. mycorrhizal colonization was evident in roots, with the highest intensity in coinoculation treatments, which also showed greater formation of structures typical of symbiosis. Regarding growth, B. bassiana promoted greater leaf number and shoot biomass in seedlings, while R. irregularis favored root development, which is important for adaptation after transplanting. Coinoculation resulted in a significant increase in leaf area and mycorrhizal colonization, especially after transplanting, suggesting that the combination of these microorganisms can enhance the growth of tomato plants. The results indicate that early inoculation with B. bassiana and R. irregularis can be an effective strategy to improve plant development, although additional studies are required to evaluate long-term effects and final yield.

Agroecological functions of Trichoderma harzianum, an endophytic fungus of the avocado root: its role in plant growth, defense and multitrophic interactions.

The results support the use of T. harzianum as an effective bioinoculant to enhance plant growth and suppress pests, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic agrochemicals.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth and Competitive Ability of Solanum rostratum, an Invasive Plant

Solanum rostratum is an invasive plant species that poses a serious threat to native ecosystems. In this study, we investigated S. rostratum populations in saline-alkali regions of western Jilin Province to characterize root-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal diversity and evaluate the effects of AM fungi on plant growth and competitive ability. The results showed that S. rostratum roots were widely colonized by AM fungi, indicating abundant AM fungal resources in its rhizosphere. High-throughput sequencing identified 45 AM fungal species belonging to 13 genera, with Glomus as the dominant genus. A compartmented mesh pot experiment further demonstrated that AM fungal inoculation significantly enhanced the growth and photosynthetic performance of S. rostratum, particularly under saline-alkali soil conditions. When AM fungi were inoculated only in the compartment containing the native plant Setaria viridis, AM fungal colonization was also detected in S. rostratum roots, indicating hyphal connections between neighboring plants through the mesh barrier. Stable isotope analysis further revealed that AM fungi facilitated nitrogen acquisition by S. rostratum and increased 15N transfer from neighboring S. viridis under common mycorrhizal networks. These findings suggest that abundant AM fungal resources in the rhizosphere contribute to the growth advantage of S. rostratum. By enhancing nutrient acquisition and potentially facilitating nitrogen transfer through mycorrhizal networks, AM fungi may strengthen the competitive ability of this invasive plant under saline-alkali conditions.

Single spore propagation of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with Khasi mandarin and their symbiotic efficacy in maize

Greenhouse evaluation of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Peribacillus frigoritolerans, and Bacillus subtilis for biological control of charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in sesame