Liquid Culture of Different Grains for Rapid Production of Beauveria bassiana Blastospores

This study was carried out at the Laboratory of Plant Protection within the Department of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Duhok. A significant challenge to the widespread commercial application of fungal biocontrol agents is the lack of affordable production media and efficient manufacturing methods. In this study, an isolate of Beauveria bassiana was evaluated for blastospore yield, germination percentage and conidia concentration using fermentation media of four different grains as wheat, whole wheat, rice and corn.  The Beauveria bassiana mycelium weight, germination % and concentration were differed when cultured on the different grains liquid culture. The data were analyzed statistically using a SAS program following a Completely Randomized Design (CRD).The result indicated that the highest mat weight of B. bassiana cultured recorded on the liquid media of rice as to 7.45 grams. The weight of B. bassiana mycelia was significantly influenced by the type of medium used, and additionally, the weight decreased with each subsequent drying period. As an average, there is no significant effect of the four grains used as a liquid media on the biomass production of B. bassiana, while a significant effect among the drying period was recorded on mycelium weight. In summary, liquid culture fermentation is an essential and economical technique for quickly generating high levels of Beauveria bassiana blastospores, which are crucial for effective biological pest management. Using complex organic sources like rice, wheat, and corn enhances blastospore yield, resilience, and shelf life. And Optimizing culture conditions with these substrates is an essential for developing effective, sustainable mycopesticides, and advancing integrated pest management strategies.