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Fungal entomopathogens in the rhizosphere

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Abstract

The ecology of fungal entomopathogens in the rhizosphere is an understudied area of insect pathology. The rhizosphere is the region of soil in which the release of root exudates influences the soil microbiota, and may provide a favorable environment for fungal entomopathogens. The objective of this review is to bring together the relatively scant data available to date on the subject of fungal entomopathogens colonizing the rhizosphere and to highlight the importance of these findings. Gaining a better understanding of the ecology of fungal entomopathogens in the rhizosphere will help in the development of successful microbial control strategies against root-feeding insect pests.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Leslie Lewis and David Shapiro-Ilan for helpful suggestions which improved the manuscript. I would also like to thank Helen Roy, Fernando Vega, Mark Goettel, Judith Pell, Eric Wajnberg and David Chandler for the invitation to prepare this review. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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  1. USDA-ARS, Horticultural Crops Research Unit, 3420 N.W. Orchard Avenue, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA

    Denny J. Bruck

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Bruck, D.J. Fungal entomopathogens in the rhizosphere. BioControl 55, 103–112 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-009-9236-7

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