A. muscarius, although the phenomena was additive rather than synergistic. Mycelial
growth inhibition of A. muscarius exposed to the essential oils was also very low.
The overall data on efficacy of fungi for aphids shows their potential, but aphid
damage on wheat and other cereals rendeers them less important as major pests. Here,
it is important to consider natural infection of aphids by Entomophthoromycota and
also some hypocrealean fungi, and improve the environment for the conservation.
11.5.2 Rice Pests
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important agricultural crops in the north of
Iran (Lotfalizadeh et al. 2016). Within four decades (from 1980 to 2010), Iran has
changed from the leading rice importing country to the eleventh rice producer of the
world (Poor Amiri et al. 2017). Some main important rice pests are Chilo
suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Naranga aenescens (Lepidoptera:
Noctuidae). These pests highly damage this strategic crop annually (Lotfalizadeh
et al. 2016). Chemical insecticides have been the most common tools for management of these two rice pests. The integrated pest management (IPM) concept proposes the use of environmentally friendly strategies to decrease the rapid
development of pesticide resistance by these pests and also combat with the environmental pollution, human health risks, and negative affect of pesticides beneficial
organisms (Poor Amiri et al. 2017).
Several surveys have been conducted to determine the effect of EPFs on rice pests
in Iran. Initially, laboratory evaluation of pathogenicity of six B. bassiana isolates on
the striped stem borer, C. suppressalis had been done by Majidi-Shilsar et al. (2004).
Among the isolates, there were significant differences and the Mcb18 isolate caused
greater mortality than other isolates. Subsequently, Majidi-Shilsar et al. (2008) tested
combined effect of this fungus isolate and diazinon on the pest in rice fields. The
trials were carried out during 2003 and 2004 in Rasht, Guilan province. Not only did
the B. bassiana cause mortality in the first generation of C. suppressalis but also in
the second generation. Evidently, spores of B. bassiana could persist in rice and
cause mortality of C. suppressali larvae. On the other hand, diazinon was effective
on just the first generation.
The biochemical assessment and the virulence of B. bassiana, M. anisopliae,
Isaria fumosorosea (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and A. lecanii on the larvae of
C. suppressalis were determined by Ramzi and Zibaee (2014). They recorded the
highest amounts of total protein and hydrophobin for the isolate BB3 (B. bassiana)
and I. fumosorosea. The M anisopliae isolates and BB3 showed the highest activities
of chitinases and lipases. The fungi presumably had different virulence for the larvae
by producing extracellular enzymes and adhering protein. Overall, they concluded
that larvae of C. suppressalis was more susceptible to BB2 isolate. To investigate the
effect of fungi on the immune system of the larvae, Zibaee and Malagoli (2014)
determined fluctuation in cell populations, nodule formation and phenoloxidase
activity at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after injection of different isolates of
456
H. Askary et al.
growth inhibition of A. muscarius exposed to the essential oils was also very low.
The overall data on efficacy of fungi for aphids shows their potential, but aphid
damage on wheat and other cereals rendeers them less important as major pests. Here,
it is important to consider natural infection of aphids by Entomophthoromycota and
also some hypocrealean fungi, and improve the environment for the conservation.
11.5.2 Rice Pests
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important agricultural crops in the north of
Iran (Lotfalizadeh et al. 2016). Within four decades (from 1980 to 2010), Iran has
changed from the leading rice importing country to the eleventh rice producer of the
world (Poor Amiri et al. 2017). Some main important rice pests are Chilo
suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Naranga aenescens (Lepidoptera:
Noctuidae). These pests highly damage this strategic crop annually (Lotfalizadeh
et al. 2016). Chemical insecticides have been the most common tools for management of these two rice pests. The integrated pest management (IPM) concept proposes the use of environmentally friendly strategies to decrease the rapid
development of pesticide resistance by these pests and also combat with the environmental pollution, human health risks, and negative affect of pesticides beneficial
organisms (Poor Amiri et al. 2017).
Several surveys have been conducted to determine the effect of EPFs on rice pests
in Iran. Initially, laboratory evaluation of pathogenicity of six B. bassiana isolates on
the striped stem borer, C. suppressalis had been done by Majidi-Shilsar et al. (2004).
Among the isolates, there were significant differences and the Mcb18 isolate caused
greater mortality than other isolates. Subsequently, Majidi-Shilsar et al. (2008) tested
combined effect of this fungus isolate and diazinon on the pest in rice fields. The
trials were carried out during 2003 and 2004 in Rasht, Guilan province. Not only did
the B. bassiana cause mortality in the first generation of C. suppressalis but also in
the second generation. Evidently, spores of B. bassiana could persist in rice and
cause mortality of C. suppressali larvae. On the other hand, diazinon was effective
on just the first generation.
The biochemical assessment and the virulence of B. bassiana, M. anisopliae,
Isaria fumosorosea (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and A. lecanii on the larvae of
C. suppressalis were determined by Ramzi and Zibaee (2014). They recorded the
highest amounts of total protein and hydrophobin for the isolate BB3 (B. bassiana)
and I. fumosorosea. The M anisopliae isolates and BB3 showed the highest activities
of chitinases and lipases. The fungi presumably had different virulence for the larvae
by producing extracellular enzymes and adhering protein. Overall, they concluded
that larvae of C. suppressalis was more susceptible to BB2 isolate. To investigate the
effect of fungi on the immune system of the larvae, Zibaee and Malagoli (2014)
determined fluctuation in cell populations, nodule formation and phenoloxidase
activity at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after injection of different isolates of
456
H. Askary et al.