Isozyme markers for virulence in the entomopathogenic fungal isolates of beauveria species against spodoptera litura.

ABSTRACT

Twenty nine pathotypes of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill and one of Beauveria brongniartii (Sacc.) petch were characterized according to virulence towards second instar larval stage of Spodoptera litura and isozyme variations. Biological differences were found among the isolates. LT50 values ranged from 4.2 to 9.6 days based on which the isolates were characterized as virulent and less virulent. Electrophoretic polymorphisms of esterase and acid phosphatase were performed to differentiate the isolates. Cluster analysis revealed a demarcation among the virulent and less virulent isolates of B. bassiana from that of B. brongniartii species.