Conservation of entomopathogenic fungi in agroecosystems

Entomopathogenic fungi in the order Hypocreales are common in arable soils worldwide and can be important contributors to the natural regulation of many insects in annual cropping systems. Conservation of applied fungus-based biopesticides or endemic entomopathogenic fungi can require modification of the environment or management practices to encourage their prevalence and persistence, and to improve their ability to suppress pest populations. This presentation will focus on what we and others have learned from research on the effects of a variety of agricultural practices on the prevalence of Metarhizium spp. in annual feed grain cropping systems, using Metarhizium robertsii as a model. We will use the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s four principles for managing soil health as a conceptual framework. Entomopathogenic fungi, like M. robertsii, could make a substantial contribution to integrated pest management and sustainable crop production strategies.