Development of a mass production technology for aerial conidia for use as mycopesticides

In any microbial control programme, production of sufficient quantities of good quality inoculum becomes essential to its success. The inoculum produced must be both consistent and compatible with the intended formulation and application technology. Each of the stages in the development and optimization of a mass production technique for the production of aerial conidia is discussed. Full details of the LUBILOSA mass production system for aerial conidia of Metarhizium flavoviride are given, along with recommended contamination and quality control procedures. This technique has been used successfully to develop the specifications for a commercial product for the biological control of locusts and grasshoppers.