Abstract

The opportunistic nematode egg parasitic fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus was mass produced in different liquid media for evaluation of spore production and formulation. Potato dextrose broth (PDB), Richards’s medium; 10% Mdlasses and Semi selective medium was used as culture medium. The Semi selective medium served as control. Highest mycelial weight was found in Semi selective medium (19.82g), followed by 10% Molasses medium (16.85g). The least mycelial weight was found in PDB (10.5g). Highest spore load was found in Semi selective medium (32.8 X107 cfu/g) followed by 10% molasses medium (28.8 X107 cfu/g). The spore production was least in PDB (10.3 X107 cfu/g). The mass produced fungus was formulated with different carrier materials like fly ash, vermiculite, rice hull ash and talc and the viability of the spores were tested at frequent intervals. The viability of the fungus lasted for 120 days in talc and fly ash. Rice hull ash and vermiculite had a viability period of 90 and 75 days respectively.

Keywords: Paecilomyces lilacinus , mass production, commercial formulation