AgriLife Paecilo

Conidial penetration:Paecilomyces lilacinuson getting attached to the host forms a dense mycelium that gives rise to conidiophores. These bear phialides at the ends of which spores are formed in long chains. The fungus produces an appressorium (a swelling on the end of the germ tube) which marks the start of invasion of insect. The appressorium produces a penetration peg that enters the external skein (cuticle) of the host. The fungus produces hyphae inside insect body which proliferate and start feeding on insects internal contents.

Enzyme production:Paecilomyces lilacinusproduces proteases and chitinase enzymes that weakens nematodes so as to enable a narrow infection peg to be established and push through the insects exterior and pathogenise it from within. A novel nematicidal compound is present in Paecilothat weaken the nematodes and then gets inside the insect and kills the infected nematode.

Growth:Once inside, Paeciloreplicates and consumes the nematodes' internal organs and blood-like fluid, the hemolymph eventually killing it. Paeciloinfects the nematode on contact and do not need to be consumed by nematode to cause infection.

Environment factors:The rate at which Paecilokills the nematode is dependent on temperature and humidity. High humidity is essential for conidial germination and infection establishes between 24 to 48 hours. The infected nematodes may live for three to five days after hyphal penetration and, after death of nematode, the conidiophores bearing conidia are produced on cadaver. The fungus is specific to Nematodes. Nematodes die before the fungus is visible.Paecilomyces lilacinusgrows best at 20-30 degree C and at a relative humidity above 65%.

Paeciloeffectively controls economically important nematode pests for a wide range of crops.

Nematode load reduction leads to improved plant health and thereby increased crop productivity.

Paecilocan be used as an effective component in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes, thereby leading to a reduction in use of chemical pesticides and creating a safer environment