Side effects of fungicides and insecticides on entomopathogenic fungi in vitro

Products based on different strains of entomopathogenic fungi are now being used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Compatibility studies of chemical and biological control agents are necessary to be able to give proper recommendations for their integrated use. The effect of three insecticides based on imidacloprid, spinosad and abamectin, and three fungicides based on chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin and thiophanate-methyl on the activity of the following entomopathogenic fungi: Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) sensu lato, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill., Acremonium sp. was tested under laboratory conditions. Tests of the influence of the pesticides on growth and production of conidia were performed. From this study, we concluded that all tested insecticides can be applied together with fungus B. bassiana products in IPM programs. They even stimulate sporulation of this fungus at the recommended dose, 0.5 of the recommended dose and 1.5 times the recommended dose. In the case of fungicides we observed inhibition of growth and sporulation of B. bassiana and reduction of growth and sporulation of other species of fungi.