Studies on Prolonged Storage of <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> Conidia: Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Conidial Viability and Virulence against Chickpea Borer, <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i>

Abstract

Abstract Unformulated conidia of Beauveria bassiana were stored at five different temperatures (0°, 10°, 20°, 30° and 40°C) at six different relative humidities (RH) (0, 33, 53, 75, 85 and 98%). Conidial viabilities and virulence against third instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera were determined over a 24‐month period. Conidia survived longest at lower temperatures (0–20°C) and lower RH levels (0–53% RH). At higher temperatures (30–40°C) conidia did not survive. When the temperature was decreased from 30°C to 0°C, at nearly all RH levels the longevity of conidia increased. Conidia remained virulent for third instar larvae of H. armigera under favourable storage conditions for 24 months. Keywords: Beauveria bassianaHelicoverpa armigeraenvironmental factorsconidial viabilityconidial virulencestorage of conidia