Enhancement of Cucumber Growth, Production and Protection Against Insect Pests by the Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana

Abstract

Two strains of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuil. were used in the present study to inoculate cucumber plants using cucumber seed treatment for different durations (2h, 6h, and 10h) in the laboratory, in addition to root dipping in the greenhouse. Their effects on plant colonization, seed germination, growth and production parameters were examined, and their impact in preventing insect pest attack under greenhouse conditions was investigated. The results of the laboratory experiment showed a significant increase in the length and number of roots, and the seedling vigor, 10 days after seed soaking in the fungal suspension for different treatment durations, with no significant effect on germination. Increasing the seed soaking duration also increased the hypocotyl length. Significant increase was observed in leaf number, fruit number, wet fruit weight, wet and dry shoot weight, plant height, and root length, 43 days after fungal application under greenhouse conditions. Both B. bassiana strains reduced infestation and severity of agromyzid leafminers, aphids, and whiteflies on cucumber plants grown in the greenhouse.

Keywords:

Colonization, fungal endophytes, entomopathogenic fungi, infestation, severity, plant growth promotion.