Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 92-98 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 95 dependence on chemical insecticides, and thus protect the environment and human health. These findings provide scientific basis for further promoting and applying biological control strategies, and also demonstrate the potential and advantages of using these fungi in actual agricultural production. Classification and taxonomy of these fungi are based on morphological characteristics, such as the shape and color of mycelia and conidia, as well as genetic markers (Afandhi et al., 2020; Budiarti and Nuryanti, 2022). Recent studies have also highlighted the role of entomopathogenic fungi as endophytes, plant growth promoters, and antagonists of plant pathogens, indicating their multifaceted ecological roles (Vega et al., 2009; Sharma et al., 2020). 3.2 Mechanism of pest control Entomopathogenic fungi infect and kill pest insects through a series of well-coordinated mechanisms. The infection process begins with the attachment of fungal spores to the insect cuticle, followed by germination and penetration of the cuticle using mechanical pressure and enzymatic degradation (Dar et al., 2017; Sharma et al., 2020). Once inside the host, the fungi proliferate, overcoming the host's immune defenses, and ultimately leading to the death of the insect (Sharma et al., 2020). These fungi have specific adaptations that enable them to target rice pests effectively. For instance, Metarhizium anisopliae has been shown to suppress rice planthopper populations significantly without affecting the rice microbiota, demonstrating its specificity and potential as a biocontrol agent in rice ecosystems (Peng et al., 2020). The ability of these fungi to persist on rice plants for a considerable period after application and their negligible impact on non-target microorganisms, such as the indigenous microbial communities of the rice phyllosphere, further underscore their suitability for pest control in rice cultivation (Peng et al., 2020). In summary, entomopathogenic fungi possess unique biological characteristics and mechanisms of pest control that make them effective agents for managing insect pests in rice fields. Their classification, life cycle, reproductive strategies, and specific adaptations for infecting and killing rice pests are critical for developing sustainable pest management strategies. 4 Application of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Rice Pest Control 4.1 Case study reviews Entomopathogenic fungi have been increasingly recognized for their potential in controlling rice pests. A notable example is the fungal strain Metarhizium anisopliae CQMa421, which has demonstrated a control efficiency of over 60% against rice planthoppers, comparable to chemical treatments, while maintaining the rice microbiota intact (Peng et al., 2020). Similarly, different isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae have shown high efficacy against stored-grain beetle species, suggesting their potential for broader applications in pest management (Wakil et al., 2021). In another study, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Isaria fumosorosea were tested against the stored-grain pest Sitophilus oryzae, with varying mortality rates influenced by concentration and application method, indicating the importance of optimizing application strategies (Kavallieratos et al., 2014). 4.2 Effectiveness analysis The effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi varies across different environmental conditions and pest species. For instance, Metarhizium anisopliae was found to be highly virulent against Trogoderma granarium in stored grains, with mortality rates up to 98.33% (Iqbal et al., 2021). Beauveria bassiana has also been effective in controlling storage insect pests in green gram seeds, with a high mortality rate and no adverse effects on seed quality (Pande and Mishra, 2018). These findings underscore the potential of entomopathogenic fungi as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, with the ability to adapt to various environmental conditions and target a wide range of pest species.
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