Abstract

A series solid-state fermentation (SSF) chamber system was designed to produce superior conidial powder of several fungal biocontrol agents. The synchronousconidia production of six fungal biocontrol candidates in three genera includingMetarhizium flavoviride ARSEF 5628, M. anisopliae ARSEF 456, Beauveria bassiana ARSEF 734 and ARSEF 2860, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus ARSEF6206 and ARSEF 3843 were assessed for the feasibility of chamber system. The conidial powder of those strains harvested from 5-kg rice cultures in a chamber weighed 147.1, 137.5, 101.2, 89.2, 55.0 and 40.0 g, and obtained 2.2 ´ 10¹², 2.7 ´10¹², 5.4 ´ 10¹², 4.6 ´ 10¹², 1.8 ´ 10¹², 1.3 ´ 10¹² conidia kg^-1 rice, respectively. Experimental data from the new series chamber system were obviously better than those of previous reports. Moreover, conidial viability of those isolates was up to 95% entirely. Results suggest that the chamber system have the capability to meet the quick and simple biocontrol evaluation activities such as biological characteristic of various biocontrol agents, from synchronous production to multiplicate trials.

Key words: Aerial conidia, fungal pathogens, synchronous production, series fermentation chamber.