Viability of Metarhizium anisopliae conidia (metsch.) Sorok preserved in packages containing silica gel

Background The entomopathogenic fungi are important microbial agents for their efficient performance as microbial biopesticides in pest control. The development of commercial products formulated with entomopathogenic fungi is in a promising market for biopesticides. However, the fungi can lose their viability when exposed to unfavorable conditions of temperature, humidity and ultraviolet radiation, affecting the life of conidia. Among these constraints, there is the relative humidity through the presence of free water in formulated as one of the main factors that affect the viability of the organism in the form and function of storage time. The use of desiccant agents, such as silica gel, may be a viable alternative to favor the retention of moisture in the air, reducing the adsorption of water molecules by the system. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of silica gel in maintaining the viability of dry conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae.