Ne. Jenkins et Ms. Goettel, METHODS FOR MASS-PRODUCTION OF MICROBIAL CONTROL AGENTS OF GRASSHOPPERS AND LOCUSTS, Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada, (171), 1997, pp. 37-48
The success of microbial control programmes often depends on an adequa
te mass-production method for the agent used. The pathogens with poten
tial for use against grasshoppers and locusts Vary widely in the ease
with which they can be mass-produced. Obligate pathogens such as grass
hopper entomopoxviruses, mermithid nematodes and Nosema locustae Canni
ng are currently restricted to culture in living systems. Liquid ferme
ntation is usually employed for the production of non-obligate pathoge
ns such as bacteria, some fungi and nematodes, but in some cases the p
ropagules produced in liquid culture are not amenable to formulation a
nd application. Conidia of hyphomycete fungi can be produced on the su
rface of liquid media, on solid substrates or in diphasic systems. Pro
duction on solid substrates has been adopted for production of steinem
ematid and heterorhabditid nematodes and some fungi. Diphasic liquid-s
olid fermentation combines the benefits of both systems and is used mo
stly for mass-production of hyphomycete fungi such as Metarhizium flav
oviride Gams & Rozsypal and Beauvelia bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. In
creased commercial interest in biological control is likely to acceler
ate the development of improved and more economical methods for the ma
ss-production of microbial control agents.