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Cited by 4Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest ControlNematode management and characterization studiesPlant and Fungal Interactions Research

Microsclerotia formation of the biocontrol fungus Cordyceps javanica IF-1106 and evaluation of its stress tolerance and pathogenicity

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Li, Yihua, Li, Junmei, Cai, Xiaoxia, Gao, Meiyu, Diao, Hongliang, Xiang, Huiming, Zhou, Wenwen, Ma, Ruiyan·2025·Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1583850PMC PMC12069389
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Abstract

Introduction: Cordyceps javanica IF-1106 is an entomopathogenic fungus with a wide range of hosts. It produces microsclerotia in liquid media. Methods: This study took a close observation of the microsclerotia formation process of C. javanica IF-1106 and described the surface characteristics of C. javanica IF-1106 microsclerotia. Secondly, the viability of microsclerotia under high temperature and ultraviolet radiation were determined. Thirdly, the microsclerotia were stored under different temperatures to assess storage stability. Finally, activity of microsclerotia against root-knot nematode and the influence on the plant growth of cucumber were investigated. Results and discussion: Spores germinate quickly, and hyphal elements clump together, forming hydrophobic microsclerotia. The microsclerotia have 100% survival under 55°C and UV-B radiation of 3 J cm−2. Following such exposure, the microsclerotia are able to germinate and produce conidia. After 1 year of storage at either room temperature (25°C) or refrigeration (−80°C, −20°C, and 4°C), all the microsclerotia germinated and spore yield was more than 4 × 10 9 spores g−1. Finally, C. javanica IF-1106 microsclerotia showed ovicidal activity against root-knot nematode eggs, and a glasshouse pot trial indicated that control efficiency of microsclerotia against root-knot nematodes reached 92.6%, which improved the growth of the test cucumber plants. These attributes suggest that microsclerotia of this fungus can be applied as a biocontrol agent to control soil borne pest nematodes.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Li, Y., Li, J., Cai, X., Gao, M., Diao, H., Xiang, H., Zhou, W., & Ma, R.
Affiliations
Shanxi Agricultural University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Zhou, Wenwen
  • Ma, Ruiyan
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Microbiology
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2025-04-29
Volume
16
Pages
1583850-1583850
ISSN
1664-302X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fmicb.2025.1583850
PMC
PMC12069389
OpenAlex
W4409958144
Cited by
4
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2
FWCI
3.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Microbiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Nematode management and characterization studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Endocrinology › Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
Keywords
Cordyceps javanica, microsclerotia formation, entomopathogenic fungi, biological control agents, root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne, stress tolerance, UV-B radiation, heat tolerance, ovicidal activity, cucumber, soil nematodes, spore germination

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