Contribution
Endophytic colonization of rice byMetarhizium anisopliaesuppresses brown planthopper damage and enhances plant growth
Seyab, Muhammad; Zheng, Renwen; Shen, Chen; Zhou, Xin; Liu, Lijuan; Raza, Ali; Huang, Dongyan; Lu, Sihan; Liang, Chunzi; Tang, Qingfeng
Entomologia Generalis Volume 46 Number 2 (2026), p. 521 - 531
publié: Apr 29, 2026
publication en ligne: Mar 11, 2026
manuscrit accepté: Jan 25, 2026
révision final du manuscrit reçu: Aug 27, 2025
révision du manuscrit demandée: Aug 13, 2025
manuscrit reçu: May 19, 2025
Open Access (article peut être télechargé gratuitement)
Abstract
Metarhizium anisopliaeis a well-known entomopathogenic fungus with the dual potential to act as a biocontrol agent and plant growth promoter. While its insecticidal properties are well-documented, its role as an endophyte in enhancing crop resistance to insect pests remains underexplored. The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH) is a major sap-sucking pest of rice that causes substantial yield losses. This study aimed to evaluate the impact ofM. anisopliaecolonization on rice growth and resistance against BPH.M. anisopliaesuccessfully colonized rice tissues through seed inoculation, soil drenching, and foliar spray, with peak colonization observed at 14 days post-inoculation. Colonized plants exhibited enhanced growth, particularly in root system architecture and biomass. Feeding on colonized rice significantly reduced BPH survival, body weight, honeydew excretion, and fecundity. Age-stage, two-sex life table analysis revealed that fungal colonization shortened adult longevity, oviposition period, and reduced key population parameters such asr, R₀, andλ, while increasing doubling time (DT). In addition, BPH showed strong avoidance in feeding and oviposition on colonized plants. Simulated population projections confirmed the suppressive effects on BPH population growth. Endophytic colonization of rice byM. anisopliaecan effectively suppress BPH development, reproduction, and population expansion while promoting plant growth. These findings highlight the potential ofM. anisopliaeas a sustainable biocontrol strategy for managing rice pests in agroecosystems.
Mots-clefs
biological control • entomopathogenic fungus • induced systemic resistance • Nilaparvata lugens • sustainable agriculture • nutrient uptake • defense responses • BPH supression