In the heart of India’s agricultural landscape, a tiny yet mighty worker, the Indian honey bee Apis cerana indica, is under the microscope. Researchers, led by Venkatesan Deva Dharshini from the Department of Agricultural Entomology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, have been exploring the impacts of commercially available entomopathogenic fungal formulations on these crucial pollinators. Their findings, published in the journal ‘Sociobiology’, offer a glimpse into the future of agricultural pest management and bee health.
The study, a 10-day bioassay conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, evaluated the pathogenicity of four fungal formulations: Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Metarhizium sp., and Lecanicillium sp. The bees were exposed to these fungi through four different methods—topical, spray, leaf dip, and feeding—at a concentration of 5 × 108 conidia per milliliter.
The results were promising. “The mortality rates were significantly lower across all exposure methods, indicating the nontoxicity of these fungal formulations,” Dharshini explained. The survival rates were particularly high for Lecanicillium sp., with a remarkable 93.25% of bees surviving the exposure. This suggests that these fungi could potentially be used as safe and effective microbial control agents in agriculture.
The study also recorded conidial acquisition by bees, ranging from 4.36 × 104 to 21.08 × 104 conidia per bee. The mycosis percentage in 10-day-old moribund bees was observed to be between 3.66% and 15%. The lethal time estimates, LT10 and LT25, were comparatively lower in the topical exposure method, indicating a slower onset of mortality.
These findings could have significant implications for the agriculture sector. With the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly pest management strategies, microbial control agents like these fungi could offer a viable solution. They could help reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, which not only harm beneficial insects like bees but also contribute to environmental pollution.
Moreover, the study’s insights into the compatibility of these fungi with bees could pave the way for integrated pest management strategies that are both effective and bee-friendly. “This research is a step towards understanding how we can coexist with nature, using its own mechanisms to protect our crops,” Dharshini said.
However, the researchers caution that the effects of these fungal formulations must be further confirmed under field conditions. This is a crucial step to ensure their efficacy and safety in real-world agricultural settings.
As we look to the future, this research opens up exciting possibilities. It could lead to the development of new microbial control agents that are safe for bees and other beneficial insects. It could also inspire further studies into the complex interactions between bees, fungi, and the environment. In the words of Dharshini, “This is just the beginning. There’s so much more to explore and understand.”
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, this study serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of sustainable practices. It’s a testament to the potential of agritech innovations to shape a greener, more sustainable future for us all.