Microbiología Médica y Diagnóstico

Occurrence and pathogenicity of some fungi isolated from Kanawa forest soil in Gombe state, Nigeria

Abstract

Haruna U.S, Umar A.F, Tahir F and Agbo E. B

The increased use of conventional chemical pesticides over the years has resulted to an adverse effect on the environment and in the destructions of non-target organisms. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) revealed that pesticides: Aldrin & Dieldrin previously used to control termites among other insect pests are probable human carcinogens (Anderson, 2007.  A total of two Entomopathogenic Fungi species (Beauveria bassiana,and Metarrhizia anisopliae ) were isolated both from insect cadavers and the soils within the forest environment ,with the following percentages of occurences  Beauveria bassiana (44.4%)  and Metarrhizia anisopliae (27.2%). The pathogenicity of the two fungal isolates were tested on two insects Lamprina aurata and Galleria mellonella. More pathogenicity was observed from Beauveria bassiana 78.35 (15.67%), Followed by Metarrhizia anisopliae 73.35 (14.67%) for Lamprina aurata and Metarrhizia anisopliae was more pathogenic on Galleria mellonella than Beauveria bassiana with 85.00 (17.00%) and 81.56 (16.33%) respectively. Entomopathogenic fungi are environmentally safe and are natural enemies to insects, therefore entomopathogenic fungi ( biocontrol agents ) are the ideal candidates for integrated pest management in the farms, forest and Green houses.