An evaluation of the growth characteristics of nine B. bassiana isolates was conducted under laboratory conditions. Tests for spore concentration, viability, germination percentage, relative hyphal growth and speed of conidial germination were done. Isolate J59 showed the highest spore concentration of 120 and 114.2 spores per ml during the first and second assay respectively. Isolate J57 had the most viable number of spores in both assays. The highest germination percentage of over 80% was recorded for isolate J57. The relative hyphal growth was highest for the isolateRI under 6 days after inoculation followed closely by isolate J57 in both assays. In all the observed days, isolates BBC and BVT recorded the lowest relative hyphal growth but highest conidial germination at 2 to 10 hours after inoculation. Evaluation of growth is an important prerequisite for evaluation when considering the B. bassiana isolates for control of storage pests.

Daniel Coynehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2030-6328

Natural Resource Management

Disease Control; Pests of Plants; Plant Production

Beauveria bassiana; Spores; Viability; Hyphales; Germination

Africa; East Africa

Kenya

Eastern Africa Hub

International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology