Isolation And Characterisation Of Beauveria And Metarhizium Spp. From Rice Fields Of Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone, Assam

Abstract

Assam, the heartland of paddy cultivation in India, relies heavily on rice as the staple crop and primary source of livelihood. In order to protect rice production sustainable pest management is crucial to safeguard rice production, where entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae play a promising role as biological control agents. The goal of the present study is to isolate and identify indigenous EPFs from Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ) rice field of Assam. Soil samples were collected from three districts—Bongaigaon, Nalbari, and Barpeta—and processed through serial dilution and culture on selective media. Morphological characterization followed by molecular identification using ITS1 and ITS4 primers, PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the isolates as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The findings demonstrate the diversity of LBVZ rice fields in native EPFs, underscoring their potential for use in eco-friendly pest management strategies. Harnessing locally adapted strains can provide effective, sustainable alternatives to toxic chemical pesticides, ensuring better crop protection while minimizing environmental risks.