New Hybrid Strains via Intraspecific Protoplast Fusion of the Entomopathogenic Fungi Lecanicillium spp.

The entomopathogenic fungal genus Lecanicillium Gams and Zare (formerly classified as the species Verticillium lecanii) includes that are highly pathogenic to many insect genera. In this study, we identified six Lecanicilliumspp. isolated strains (designated V1-V6) belonging L. lecanii (V1, V3 V5) attenuatum (V2, V4 V6). addition, these were used obtain new via protoplast fusion, nit mutants for selection. Genetic recombination of hybrid was determined using random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) technique. We obtained nine stable fusant from 176 strains, which termed V12-10, V14-3, V16-4, V23-6, V25-8, V34-14, V36-5, V45-16 V56-7. Morphological characteristics varied between parental strains. Genomic DNA analysis fusants also showed genetic recombination. median lethal concentration (LC50) lower than survival time (LT50) reduced compared with Thus, results produced new, more virulent spp. strainsas biological control agents intraspecific fusion.