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Beauveria felina Accelerates Growth When Competing With Other Potential Endophytes

Summary

Scientists studied how Beauveria felina, a fungus used to fight crop pests, grows when competing with other fungi naturally found in plants. Surprisingly, B. felina grew faster when other fungi were present, making it an even stronger candidate for pest control. However, the researchers found complex interactions between the fungi that need more study before using B. felina widely in agriculture.

Background

Beauveria felina is an entomopathogenic fungus being investigated as a biocontrol agent for crop pests. However, little is known about how this fungus responds when competing with other endophytic fungi naturally present in plant tissues. Understanding these interactions is critical before applying B. felina as a biocontrol agent in agricultural systems.

Objective

This study compared the growth rate of Beauveria felina cultured alone versus in the presence of other endophytic fungi (Gliomastix polychroma and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa). The goal was to determine whether competitor fungi stimulate or inhibit B. felina growth and assess its potential efficacy as a biocontrol agent in a complex fungal microbiome.

Results

In the presence of either competitor, B. felina growth rate increased significantly: 4.3-fold faster with G. polychroma and doubled with R. mucilaginosa compared to control. An inhibition zone formed between B. felina and G. polychroma mycelia in 65% of samples. G. polychroma growth remained unchanged with B. felina present, while R. mucilaginosa growth increased in B. felina presence.

Conclusion

B. felina demonstrates enhanced growth when competing with other endophytic fungi, supporting its candidacy as a biocontrol agent. However, the formation of inhibition zones and differential effects on competing fungi suggest complex metabolite-mediated interactions requiring further investigation before large-scale agricultural application.
  • Published in:Environmental Microbiology Reports,
  • Study Type:In vitro Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39817503, DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.70067
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