From Waste to Utilization: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Post-Mushroom Substrate and Other Agro-Wastes for the Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Fungi

Production of high-quality inoculum in sufficient quantities is crucial for biocontrol programs. Entomopathogenic Fungi (EPF) are highly suitable biocontrol agents due to their adaptability, mode of action, persistence, and wide host range. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of agro-wastes, including sugarcane bagasse, paddy husk, Post Mushroom Substrate (PMS), and sorghum grains with and without ۱۰% molasses fortification, for mass production of four EPF isolates (Cordyceps fumosorosea: MT۹۹۷۹۳۲, Beauveria bassiana: MT۹۹۷۹۳۳, Akanthomyces lecanii: MT۹۹۷۹۳۵, and Hirsutella thompsonii: MT۹۹۷۹۳۶) isolated from two agro-climatic zones in Karnataka, India. The study employed solid-state fermentation. Results showed that sorghum grains fortified with ۱۰% molasses had the highest mycelial growth and spore production of all isolates, followed by PMS with ۱۰% molasses (T۷). Fortification with molasses positively influenced the growth and spore production of EPF. The results indicated that while sorghum grains were the best choice for mass production, PMS fortified with molasses also had great potential as an alternative substrate.

Keywords:

Beauveria , Lecanicillium , Biocontrol , Sorghum grains , Sugarcane bagasse.