Impact of Some Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Growth of Zea mays L. and Helianthus annuus L.

Abstract

Entomopathogenic fungi, a promising alternative to conventional insecticides, have been widely used as biocontrol agents for the regulation of pest populations. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that entomopathogenic fungi also have growth-promoting properties in plants. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effects of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi strains, Beauveria bassiana Pa4, Cordyceps fumosorosea KTU-42, and Metarhizium flavoviride As-18, on the germination and early development period of sunflower and maize plants. In this study, it was determined that EPF application did not affect the seed germination percentage in maize, but increased the germination percentage of sunflower seeds. It was determined that M. flavoviride application significantly increased root-stem weight, root length, stem diameter and biomass in sunflower samples compared to other EPF applications and control. In maize, it was determined that EPF applications had a positive effect only on root length. The most effective fungus to increase growth on maize plants was C. fumosorosea KTU-42. On the other hand, the same result was obtained with M. flavoviride As-18 on sunflower plants. The present study reported that these fungi promote plant development and should be considered an important factor in plant production besides pest management.