GENETIC DIVERSITY OF Metarhizium anisopliae ISOLATED OF INSECTS AND AGROECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

Background. The genus Metarhizium is integrated of various species, they have a wide geographic distribution and are considered one of the best biological control agents for pests insect. Objective. To determine the genetic diversity of Metarhizium strains isolated from different insects and agroecosystems using RAPD markers. Methodology. Soil was collected from different agroecosystems (Mexican lemon, grapefruit, sugar cane, mango), insects Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Diatraea magnifactella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Schistocerca piceifrons piceifrons (Orthoptera: Acridylus), Macrodactylus murinus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the mite Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) to isolate Metarhizium strains, the isolates were analyzed through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Results. The RAPD markers were highly informative and polymorphic. The generated dendrogram was made up of four clusters (A-D); cluster A consisted of 11 soil isolates, one from D. magnifactella and two from D. saccharalis. In cluster B one of D. saccharalis and one of soil. On the other hand, in cluster C were that B. microplus and one of soil. While cluster D was integrated by the S. frugiperda, M. murinus and S. piceifrons isolates. Implications. The determination of the genetic diversity between Metarhizium isolates obtained from insects and agroecosystems, generates a contribution on the habitat that will allow the development of strategies to carry out an adequate biological control of pest insects. Conclusion. The analyzes using the RAPD markers indicated that there is a genetic diversity among the Metarhizium isolates collected from different insects and agroecosystems.