ULTRA-VIOLET RADIATION-DAMAGE TO METARHIZIUM-FLAVOVIRIDE CONIDIA AND THE PROTECTION GIVEN BY VEGETABLE AND MINERAL-OILS AND CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS

Metarhizium flavoviride conidia formulated in oil or water were expose d to simulated solar radiation. Radiation below 320 nm killed conidia and caused delays in the germination of survivors; germination was gre ater after 48 h of incubation than after 24 h. UV exposure of conidia formulated in oil for 2 h reduced germination from 99% to 37.5% after incubation for 48 h. Exposure of conidia in water to UV for 1 h result ed in 4.7% germination after 24 h incubation compared with 36.5% for c onidia formulated in oil. The addition of 1% oxybenzone resulted in 81 .9% conidial germination after 3 h exposure and 48 h incubation compar ed with 28.1% in oil without the sunscreen.