Can microbial pest control be improved by homeopathies?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v15i2.2618Keywords:
Beauveria bassiana , homeopathic preparations , fungal multiplicationAbstract
Microbial control involves using microorganisms that infect and kill insect pests in agricultural ecosystems. However, the reduced multiplication efficiency of entomopathogenic fungi due to successive subcultures in biofactories has limited their use. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high dynamized dilutions (HDD) on the mycelial growth of Beauveria bassiana. The experiment took place at the Homeopathy and Plant Health Laboratory (EPAGRI – Lages/SC), using a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications. The treatments included Barrita carbonica, Kali iodatum, Sepia succus, all at a potency of 30CH (CH=centesimal hahnemannian dilution), and sterilized distilled water (control). Treatments at a 5% proportion were added to the potato-dextrose-agar medium before solidification and poured onto plates. A 0.7 cm diameter disc of B. bassiana was placed in each Petri dish. The plates were incubated at 25 °C with a 12-hour photoperiod. On the fourth day, mycelial growth was measured by colony diameter, and the data were analyzed using R software. Results showed no significant differences between the HDD treatments. Compared to the control, homeopathic S. succus reduced B. bassiana mycelial growth, while B. carbonica and K. iodatum showed no difference from the control. Further testing with different HDD and potencies is suggested to enhance the multiplication of B. bassiana in laboratory conditions.
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