Friends or betrayers? Beneficial effects of endophytic colonization of Amaranthus dubius on the reproductive traits of Spoladea recurvalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Arthropod Plant Interactions

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Abstract

Amaranth is a highly nutritious and medicinal crop with great potential for food security. However, its productivity is severely constrained by insect pests, particularly Spoladea recurvalis. Farmers’ reliance on chemical insecticides for its control poses high risks to human and environmental health. This study therefore explored the potential of fungal endophytes as a sustainable alternative approach in managing S. recurvalis. We screened 15 fungal isolates belonging to six different genera (Trichoderma, Hypocrea, Beauveria, Fusarium, Bionectria and Metarhizium) to assess their potential to endophytically colonize Amaranthus dubius through seed inoculation and determined the systemic induced resistance potential of the endophytes in controlling S. recurvalis. Hypocrea lixii F3ST1 and Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 successfully colonized all the host seedling parts. Hypocrea lixii F3ST1 and T. asperellum M2RT4 were further investigated for their endophytic persistence, effect on plant growth, pathogenicity to S. recurvalis, and longevity of F1 progenies. Both endophytes remained persistent for the 4-week assessment period with varied colonization rates. The two endophytes significantly improved leaf number, leaf width, leaf length, plant height, and shoot dry weight. Additionally, H. lixii F3ST1 and T. asperellum M2RT4 significantly affected the life-history parameters of S. recurvalis, resulting in reductions in egg masses (5% and 49.8%, respectively; p < 0.001), egg hatchability (7% and 48%, respectively; p < 0.001), increased larval mortality (> 35%), decreased number of pupae (4.9% and 58.4%, respectively; p < 0.001), reduced adult emergence (4.9% and 57.9%, respectively; p < 0.001), and lower survival of F1 progeny. Our findings suggest that H. lixii F3ST1 and T. asperellum M2RT4 may contribute to enhancing amaranth growth promotion and reducing S. recurvalis infestation under controlled conditions. However, further field evaluations are required to validate these effects under practical farming systems.

Keywords

Endophytes, Persistence, Plant growth promoters, Progeny survival, Spoladea recurvalis

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