METHOD OF IMPROVING STORAGE STABILITY AND FITNESS OF FUNGAL SPORES
The present invention relates to a method for producing dormant fungal structures or organs with an improved germination rate comprising subjecting said dormant structures or organs to a procedure comprising a heat treatment, followed by a cooling period as well as a related solid-state fermentation method and dormant fungal structures or organs produced thereby.
1 . A method for producing dormant fungal structures or organs with an improved germination rate comprising subjecting said dormant structures or organs to a procedure comprising a heat treatment of between 37° C. and 65° C., followed by a cooling period to a temperature of between 0° C. and 36° C.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising producing said dormant fungal structures or organs by fermentation.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein said dormant fungal structures or organs are subjected to said procedure during or after fermentation.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dormant fungal structure or organs are exospores or spores which are developing spores or mature spores.
5 . (canceled)
6 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein said fermentation is solid-state fermentation.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dormant fungal structures or organs are spores of at least one filamentous fungus.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one filamentous fungus is an entomopathogenic fungus.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungus is of the genus Metarhizium.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungus is of the species Metarhizium brunneum and/or Metarhizium acridum.
11 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungus is selected from the group consisting of Beauveria bassiana; Lecanicillium lecanii; Lecanicillium muscarium; Metarhizium brunneum; M. acridum ARSEF324 ; M. acridum isolate IMI 330189 (ARSEF7486); Nomuraea rileyi; Isaria fumosorosea strain apopka 97 , Isaria fumosorosea strain FE 9901; and Beauveria brongniartii.
12 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one filamentous fungus is selected from the group consisting of a plant growth promoting fungus, a fungus active against plant pathogens, a fungus active against nematodes and a fungus having herbicidal activity.
13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein said plant growth promoting fungus is selected from the group consisting of Talaromyces flavus, Trichoderma atroviride; Trichoderma harzianum; Penicillium bilaii; Pythium oligandrum; Rhizopogon amylopogon; Rhizopogon fulvigleba; Trichoderma harzianum; Trichoderma koningii; Trichoderma virens ; and Verticillium albo - atrum.
14 . (canceled)
15 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said heat treatment comprises an elevation of the temperature within a spore containing vessel to between 37 and 55° C.
16 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dormant structure or organs are fungal spores.
17 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said heat treatment is effected for at least 30 minutes.
18 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said cooling period is at between 5° C. and 36° C.
19 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said cooling period lasts at least 6 hours.
20 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dormant fungal structures or organs exhibit an increased germination rate as compared to dormant fungal structures or organs not subjected to said procedure after 2 weeks.
21 . A composition comprising dormant fungal structures or organs having an improved germination rate, said composition comprising
a) a carrier; and
b) dormant fungal structures or organs subjected to a procedure comprising a heat treatment at a temperature of between 37° C. and 65° C. followed by a cooling period at a temperature of between 0° C. and 36° C.,
wherein 2 weeks after finishing said procedure said dormant fungal structures or organs exhibit an improved germination rate and/or germination efficiency as compared to dormant fungal structures or organs not subjected to the treatment in step b).
22 . A storage-stable composition comprising dormant fungal structures or organs that are fungal spores which have been produced according to the method of claim 1 .
23 - 26 . (canceled)