Identification of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Purpureocillium lilacinum from oil palm plantation soils in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Ibrahim Sani; Syari Jamian; Siti Izera Ismail; Norsazilawati Saad; Sumaiyah Abdullah; Erneeza Mohd Hata; Muhammad Amali Kamarudin; Johari Jalinas

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Identification of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Purpureocillium lilacinum from oil palm plantation soils in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Author: Ibrahim Sani ^{1
,

2} ; Syari Jamian ^{1
,

3} ; Siti Izera Ismail ^{1
,

3} ; Norsazilawati Saad ⁴ ; Sumaiyah Abdullah ⁴ ; Erneeza Mohd Hata ⁵ ; Muhammad Amali Kamarudin ⁴ ; Johari Jalinas ⁶
Author Information

1. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia. &
2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yaradua University, P.M.B., Katsina 2218, Nigeria.
3. Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia.
4. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia.
5. Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
6. Centre for Insect Systematics, Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Entomopathogenic fungi; Insect baits; Oil palm; Soil; UPM
MeSH: Entomophthorales--genetics; Palm Oil; Insecticides
From:Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2022;18(1):105-112
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Aims:Insect pests are one of the major constraints of oil palm production in Malaysia. However, synthetic chemical insecticides are the most common method for its control, despite their negative effects on non-target organisms and the development of resistance. Therefore, the present study is aimed to identify novel indigenous isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in oil palm soil as part of integrated pest management (IPM) of oil palm insect pests.
Methodology and results:The potential of EPF were isolated from the soil collected from the oil palm plantation in UPM using a mealworm beetle larva (Tenebrio molitor) as an insect bait. Seven Metarhizium anisopliae and two Purpureocillium lilacinum isolates were identified by morphological characterization (macroscopic and microscopic observation) and molecular identification using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS region amplification).
Conclusion, significance and impact of study:To our knowledge, this is the first time P. lilacinum has been found in the soil of an oil palm plantation or any other host in Malaysia. Furthermore, both of the isolates M. anisopliae and P. lilacinum may be potentially considered as biological control candidates for major insect pests in oil palm.
Full text:20.2022my0010.pdf