Fungal Endophytes, Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jillich and Phanerochaete sordida (P. Karst.) J. Erikss and Ryvarden: New Aspirants in Biopesticide Scenario

Endophytes to which several roles of plant defense are ascribed have huge potential for development as biocontrol agents. Biocontrol prospects of two foliar endophytes, Phlebiopsis gigantea and Phanerochaete sordida isolated from Adhatoda vasica Nees and Andrographis paniculata Nees, respectively, are reported here. In per os treatment against third instar teak defoliator larvae [Hyblaea puera (Cramer)], P. sordida and P. gigantea showed considerable insecticidal activity in terms of median lethal doses (6x10⁵ conidia and 3x10⁸ oidia per larva, respectively). In dip treatment using oidial suspension, P. gigantea at its median lethal dosage inflicted cent percent mortality in less than a minute's time. This result is extremely fascinating considering its knockdown action and its enormous potential as a biocontrol agent.