Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research
Project Number: 2040-30400-001-021-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2025
End Date: Nov 30, 2026
Objective:
We plan to conduct preliminary controlled assays to (1) develop and optimize methods for the efficient inoculation of macadamia with B. bassiana, (2) determine the persistence of B. bassiana colonization in macadamia after inoculation and its effects on plant growth, and finally, (3) evaluate the effectiveness of endophytic B. bassiana in macadamia for the management of MFC.
Approach:
First, we will evaluate different inoculation methods of B. bassiana at various growth stages of macadamia, including nut soaking as well as soil drenching and foliar applications for germinated seedlings and grafted plants. Then, we will periodically assay inoculated plants, using traditional and molecular techniques, to quantify the persistence of B. bassiana within host plant tissue, and compare across different tissues (e.g., roots, branches and leaves). Lastly, we will assess the mortality of MFC exposed to B. bassiana-inoculated macadamia trees using the different inoculation methods and at different periods post-inoculation.