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In vitro assay on homeopathic solutions on Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch) Sorok (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae)

Efeito in vitro de soluções homeopáticas sobre Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch) Sorok (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae)

ABSTRACT:

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of homeopathic solutions Arsenicum Album 24CH; Calcarea carbonica 30CH; Kali iodatum 100CH;Phosphorus 3CH; Silicea 30CH;Staphysagria 6, 30 and 100CH; Spodoptera frugiperda 30CH; Sulphur 100 and 200CH andThuya occidentalis 200CH on biological parameters of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae . The solutions were diluted in sterile distilled water (0.1%) and were sprayed on the previously inoculated fungus on PDA culture medium. Germination, colony forming units, vegetative growth, conidial production and insecticidal activity of the fungus against larvae of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) were evaluated. Homeopathic solutions did not affect negatively the parameters evaluated. Thus, all treatments were considered compatible to the fungusM. anisopliae.

KEYWORDS:
entomopathogenic fungus; dynamized solution; species conservation; compatibility

RESUMO:

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito in vitrodas soluções homeopáticas Arsenicum album 24CH;Calcarea carbonica 30CH; Kali iodatum100CH; Phosphorus 3CH; Silicea 30CH;Staphysagria 6, 30 e 100CH; Spodoptera frugiperda 30CH; Sulphur 100 e 200CH eThuya occidentalis 200CH sobre parâmetros biológicos do fungo Metarhizium anisopliae. As soluções medicamentosas foram diluídas em água destilada (esterilizada) (0,1%) e pulverizadas sobre o fungo previamente inoculado no meio de cultura BDA. Os parâmetros biológicos avaliados foram: germinação de conídios, unidades formadoras de colônias, crescimento vegetativo, produção de conídios e atividade inseticida contra lagartas deDiatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). As soluções não afetaram os parâmetros avaliados. Todos os tratamentos foram considerados compatíveis ao M. anisopliae .

PALAVRAS-CHAVE:
fungos entomopatogênicos; soluções dinamizadas; conservação de espécies; compatibilidade

INTRODUCTION

The entomopathogenic fungi have great potential in pest control, due to its capacity to suppress insect populations in all stages of host development (Leite et al., 2003LEITE, L.G.; B.FILHO, A.; ALMEIDA, J.E.M.; ALVES, S.B. Produção de fungos entomopatogênicos Ribeirão Preto: A.S. Pinto, 2003. 92p.). They are the major microbial agents controlling insect pests. Around 80% of diseases in insects have entomopathogenic fungi as etiologic agent (Alves, 1998ALVES, S.B. Fungos entomopatogênicos. In: Controle microbiano de insetos 2.ed. Piracicaba: FEALQ, 1998. cap.11, p. 289-381.).

The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. stands out as a natural pathogen of several agricultural pests, being recommended in Brazil to control sugarcane froghopper (Mahanarva fimbriolata and M. posticata ), pasture spittlebugs (Notozulia entreriana, Deois flavopicta, D . incompleta, D . schach, Aeneolamia selecta ), sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis ) and locusts (Rhammatocerus schistocercoides ) (Alves et al., 2010ALVES, L.F.A.; NEVES, P.M.O.; FARIA, M.R. Recomendações para utilização de fungos entomopatogênicos no controle de pragas Piracicaba: CP 2, 2010. 52p.; Brasil, 2013BRASIL. Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento.Consulta de produtos formulados. Brasília: MAPA, 2013. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://agrofit.agricultura.gov.br/agrofit_cons/principal_agrofit_cons . Acesso em: 20 jun. 2013.
http://agrofit.agricultura.gov.br/agrofi...
).

Products based on M. anisopliae represented about 30% of the market mycoinsecticides in the Latin America in 2007/2008 (Faria; Wraight, 2007FARIA, M.R.; WRAIGHT, S.P. Mycoinsecticides and Mycoacaricides: A comprehensive list with worldwide coverage and international classification of formulation types. Biological Control Orlando, v.43, p.237-256, 2007.; Alves; Lopes, 2008ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B. Controle microbiano de pragas na América Latina: Avanços e desafios , Piracicaba: FEALQ 2008. 414 p.). However, when considered in addition to the products available, the products under registration process, these represented 55% of the market in 2009 (Michereff Filho et al., 2009MICHEREFF FILHO, M.; FARIA, M.; WRAIGHT, S.P.; SILVA, K.F.A.S. Micoinseticidas e micoacaricidas no Brasil: Como estamos após quatro décadas?. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico São Paulo, v.76, n.4, p.769-779, 2009.).

This growth mainly comes from organic or agroecological farmers who have opted for alternative practices such as the use of natural pesticides (NP) in pest control. Out of which, the products based on microorganisms, especially bacteria and fungi, protective mixtures (Bordeaux mixture, Viçosa mixture, and lime sulfur), plant extracts, essential oils and homeopathic products are included.

Among the products taken as alternative, those homeopathic are the latest in agricultural use. In Brazil, the first reports were described by Brunini; Arenales (1993BRUNINI, C.; ARENALES, M.C. Staphysagria . In: BRUNINI, C.; SAMPAIO, C. (Ed.). Matéria médica homeopática . v.3. São Paulo: Mythus, 1993. p.165-180.) who usedStaphysagria in vegetables and ornamental plants, resulting in increased plant resistance to aphids, as well as improvement in the general conditions of plants. In recent years, several studies demonstrate the potential of homeopathic products for control and insect repellence (Almeida et al., 2003ALMEIDA, A.A.; GALVÃO, J.C.C.; CASALI, V.W.D. Tratamentos homeopáticos e densidade populacional de Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E. Smith, 1979) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em plantas de milho no campo. Revista Brasileira de Milho e Sorgo , v.2, n.2, p.1-8, 2003.), phytopathogens control (Phakopsora euvitis Ono and Alternaria solaniEllis & Martin) (Bonato et al., 2006BONATO, C.M.; SOUZA, A.F.; COLLET, M.A. Controle da ferrugem (Phakopsora euvitis Ono) em videira pela aplicação de soluções homeopáticas. In: ENCONTRO DA CULTURA HOMEOPÁTICA, 16, SIMPÓSIO DO GIRI, XX., 2006, São Paulo, SP. Resumos São Paulo: 2006. p.52.;Toledo, 2009TOLEDO, M.V. Fungitoxicidade contra Alternaria solani, controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre o crescimento do tomateiro (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) por medicamentos homeopáticos 2009. 95f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia) - Universidade do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, 2009., Modolon, 2010MODOLON, T.A. Preparados em altas diluições para o manejo fitossanitário e pós colheita do tomateiro 2010. 79f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Produção vegetal) - Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, 2010.), induction resistance in plant, increase both secondary metabolites production and plant productivity (Castro et al., 2002CASTRO, D.M. Preparações homeopáticas em plantas de cenoura, beterraba, campim-limão e chambá 2002. 240f. Tese (Doutorado - Fitotecnia) - Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 2002. Disponível em: < Disponível em: http://alexandria.cpd.ufv.br:8000/teses/fitotecnia/2002/174970f.pdf >. Acesso em: 15 jun. 2013.
http://alexandria.cpd.ufv.br:8000/teses/...
; Duarte, 2007DUARTE, E.S.M. Crescimento e teor de óleo essencial em plantas de Eucalyptus citriodora e Eucalyptus globulus tratadas com homeopatia 2007. 188f. Tese (Doutorado em Fitotecnia) - Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 2007.).

Commonly used in farms based on agroecological techniques, the NP are considered safe and healthy for agricultural production, and selective to natural enemies (Alves et al., 1998aALVES, S.B.; ALMEIDA, J.E.M.; MOINO JUNIOR, A. Produtos fitossanitários e entomopatógenos. In: ALVES, S.B. (Ed.). Controle microbiano de insetos 2.ed., Piracicaba: FEALQ 1998a. cap.8, p. 217-238.). For Alves; Lopes (2008ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B. Controle microbiano de pragas na América Latina: Avanços e desafios , Piracicaba: FEALQ 2008. 414 p.), preservation of microorganisms in the soil is of great importance, since they are components of a sustainable system of pest control, and, in case of positive associations of biological agents with synthetic pesticides (SP) or NP and other control techniques, higher productivity and healthier foods can be obtained.

By the practical, economical and sustainable peculiarities, NPs have received special attention in studies to evaluate their efficiency, their mode of action and action on biological control agents. Accordingly, it was found that some commercial products such as Ecolife(r) and Stubble-Aid(r) and others neem-oil-based affected conidia production and the vegetative growth of M. anisopliae(Marques et al., 2004MARQUES, R.P.; MONTEIRO, A.C.; PEREIRA, G.T. Crescimento, esporulação e viabilidade de fungos entomopatogênicos em meios contendo diferentes concentrações de óleo de Nim (Azadirachta indica ). Ciência Rural Santa Maria, v.34, n.6, p.1675-1680, 2004.; Formentini et al., 2013FORMENTINI, M.A.; ALVES, L.F.A.; MAMPRIM, A.P.; PINTO, F.G.S.In vitro assay of alternative phytossanitary products and plant extracts on Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. (Clavicipitaceae). Revista Brasileira de Agroecologia Cruz Alta, no prelo, 2013.). Mamprim et al. (2013MAMPRIM, A.P.; ALVES, L.F.A.; PINTO, F.G.S.; FORMENTINI, M.A.; MARTINS, C.C.; BONINI, A.K. Efeito de defensivos agrícolas naturais e extratos vegetais sobre parâmetros biológicos de Metarhizium anisopliae(Metsch.) Sorok. Semina: Ciências Agrárias , Londrina, v.35, n.1. 2013.) highlighted the negative effect of lime sulfur broth on all biological parameters of M. anisopliae , classified as moderately toxic. However, the same authors have shown that aqueous and alcoholic plant extracts of some insecticide plants have proved compatible to the fungal development.

The entomopathogenic microorganisms can be considered in the agroecosystem under two aspects, whether natural or a component of microbial product (biopesticide), and, thus, the studies to understand the interaction between them and NP are justified (Rossi-Zalaf et al., 2008ROSSI-ZALAF, L.S.; ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B.; S. NETO, S.; TANZINI, M.R. Interação de microrganismos com outros agentes de controle de pragas e doenças. In: ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B. (Ed). Controle microbiano de pragas na América Latina: Avanços e desafios , Piracicaba, FEALQ 2008. p.279-302.).

Regarding the homeopathy action on microorganisms, the few existing studies seek to control the phytopathogens, with inhibition of spore germination of Fusarium roseum (Khanna; Chandra, 1976KHANNA, K.K.; CHANDRA, S. Control of tomato fruit byFusarium roseum with homeopathic drugs. Indian Phytopathology , India, v.29, p.269-272, 1976.), reduced mycelial growth and sporulation of Alternaria solanisubmitted to homeopathic treatments (Toledo, 2009TOLEDO, M.V. Fungitoxicidade contra Alternaria solani, controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre o crescimento do tomateiro (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) por medicamentos homeopáticos 2009. 95f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia) - Universidade do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, 2009.; Modolon, 2010MODOLON, T.A. Preparados em altas diluições para o manejo fitossanitário e pós colheita do tomateiro 2010. 79f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Produção vegetal) - Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, 2010.).

The evidence of these early studies on the action of homeopathic products on phytopathogenic fungi alert for possible interactions with entomopathogenic fungi also demonstrating the need for evaluating homeopathic remedies for such biological agents.

Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of homeopathic medicines recommended for various agricultural purposes on the fungus M. anisopliae.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fungal isolate and homeopathic medicines

The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (strain UNIOESTE 22) from the Collection of Entomopathogenic Fungi UNIOESTE was cultured on potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) plates, and conidia were produced by subculturing the fungus on a sporulation medium (SM) containing 0.36 g KH2PO4, 1.05 g Na2HPO4·7H2O, 0.6 g MgSO4·7H2O, 1 g KCl, 10 g glucose, 1.58 g NaNO3, 5 g yeast extract, and 20 g agar in 1,000 mL water, incubated at 26°C and 12h photoperiod for growth and spore production for 8 days. The conidia were collected by scraping the medium surface, transferred to sterile glass tubes, stored at -10°C for a period not exceeding 10 days until performing the experiments.

The homeopathic products Arsenicum album 24CH; Calcarea carbonica 30CH; Kali iodatum 100CH;Phosphorus 3CH; Silicea 30CH;Staphysagria 6, 30 and 100CH; Spodoptera frugiperda 30CH; Sulphur 100 and 200CH; andThuya occidentalis 200CH were evaluated, whose selection was based on the results of scientific studies on the effects of these drugs on various plant species, insects and microorganisms (Table 1). The preparation of drugs was performed in homeopathic pharmaceutical laboratory based in the Farmacopeia Homeopática Brasileira (Brasil, 1997BRASIL. Farmacopéia Homeopática Brasileira São Paulo: Atheneu, 1997. 118p.).

Table 1:
Homeopathic medicines used with respective dilutions, mode of action and indications from the literature.

Thus, 0.2 mL of each of homeopathic solution were added separately in 19.8 mL (1/100 dilution) in 70% ethanol with 100 vigorous shaking or sucussion in mechanical arm dynamizer (Model 50-Autic Denise) to produce the fourth Hahnemannian centesimal dilution (4CH). In successive dilutions, they were obtained in the following dilutions of each drug, which were stored for later use.

Each treatment was prepared by adding 20 µL of homeopathic solution to 19.98 ml of sterile distilled water in a sterile glass tube (solution at 0.1% concentration homeopathic/water), these treatments being then sprayed on the fungus according to each biological parameter.

General procedures for in vitro evaluation

Sterile glass tubes containing the fungus produced as described before were used, in which were added 10 mL of sterile distilled water + Tween(r) 80 (0.01%). The suspension was stirred, quantified in Neubauer chamber and standardized in the concentration of 1 × 109 conidia mL-1 with subsequent dilutions, appropriate to the evaluated parameters, namely: vegetative growth, conidial production and insecticidal activity, according to Silva; Neves (2005SILVA, R.Z.; NEVES, P.M.O.J.; SANTORO, P.H. Técnicas e parâmetros utilizados nos estudos de compatibilidade entre fungos entomopatogênicos e produtos fitossanitários. Semina: Ciências Agrárias Londrina, v.26, n.3, p.305-312, 2005.) and Oliveira (2009OLIVEIRA, D.G.P. Proposta de um protocolo para avaliação da viabilidade de conídios de fungos entomopatogênicos e determinação da proteção ao calor conferida a Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae pela formulação em óleo emocionável 2009. 90f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências) - Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, 2009.).

Conidia germination - The PDA medium (200 g potato, 20 g dextrose, 0.05 g streptomycin, 15 g agar and 1,000 mL sterile distilled water) was poured into the Rodac-type plate and after PDA medium solidification, 150 uL fungal suspension (1 × 106 conidia/mL) were inoculated on its surface, spread on with manual and circular movement of the plate. Then, 150 µL of each of homeopathic solutions sprayed with a micro-sprayer coupled to an air compressor (constant pressure of 0.84 kgf/cm2 output). The control plates received the spraying of 150 µL sterile distilled water + Tween(r) 80 (0.01%). For each treatment, five plates were prepared, each one corresponding to a repetition. All plates were incubated for 18h at 26 ± 1ºC and 12h photoperiod.

After incubation, the conidia were counted under optical microscope (400 × magnification) by dividing each dish into four quadrants and counting at least 100 conidia per quadrant, thus quantifying germinated and non-germinated conidia.

Colony forming units (CFU) - 100 µL of a fungal suspension (1 × 103conidia/mL) were inoculated and distributed on the surface of PDA culture medium in Petri dish with a Drigalski loop. Then, 100 µL of treatments were sprayed on the inoculated fungus. In the control, plates containing fungus received 100 µL sterile distilled water + Tween(r) 80 (0.01%). The plates were incubated for three days at 26 ± 1ºC and 12h photoperiod with subsequent quantification of colonies formed. Five plates were prepared for all treatments, each of them considered as a repetition.

Vegetative growth - The fungus was inoculated on the culture medium surface in a Petri dish with a platinum loop at three points. The plates were incubated at 26 ± 1ºC and 12h photoperiod for 2 days. After incubation, 250 µL treatment/plate were sprayed. The control plates were treated with sterile distilled water + Tween(r) 80 (0.01%) onto culture media surface. Plates were again incubated for five days under the same conditions described above. The vegetative growth was determined based on two perpendicular measurements of the colonies with a caliper rule in order to obtain the average diameter.

Conidia production - After verification of vegetative growth, the colonies obtained previously were cut and transferred individually to sterile glass tubes, to which were added 10 mL of sterile distilled water + Tween(r) 80 (0.01%). After stirring for about 2 minutes, the conidia quantification was performed in Neubauer chamber and optical microscope. For each treatment, 10 colonies were evaluated, 2 of each repetition.

Effect of different hydroalcoholic solutions on M. anisopliae

Whereas homeopathic products are made ​​of alcoholic solutions, an experiment was conducted in order to verify the effect of this solvent on the biological parameters of the fungus.

General procedures were adopted for in vitro evaluation, as previously described, having the spraying of hydroalcoholic solutions as treatments in the concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2.5% of alcohol/distilled sterile water. The percentage values ​​were chosen based on the recommendation for preparing the "broth" applied in the field, it should not be applied alcoholic solutions above 1%, given the possibility of toxicity to plants and biological agents (Bonato et al., 2012BONATO, C.M.; SOUZA, A.F.; OLIVEIRA, L.C.; TOLEDO, M.V.; PERES, P.G.P.; GRISA. S.; SAAR, V.V. Homeopatia simples: alternativas para a agricultura familiar Marechal Cândido Rondon: Gráfica Líder, 2012. 36p.). Sterile distilled water was applied in the control. For each treatment and also the control, five replicates were prepared.

Effect of different homeopathic products on M. anisopliae

The same experimental procedures described in the general procedures forin vitro evaluation were used, with homeopathic products at 0.1% as treatment (Table 1). A non-diluted 0.1% hydroalcoholic solution and a control were used, in which was applied sterile distilled water + Tween(r) 80 (0.01%).

Besides the parameters previously mentioned, the effect of homeopathic products on the insecticidal activity of M. anisopliae was evaluated as follow.

The fungus was inoculated onto SM in Petri dishes and about one hour later they were sprayed with 250 µL each of the products, using a micro-sprayer coupled to air compressor (0.84 kg/cm2 output constant pressure). In the control plates, 250 µL of sterile distilled water were applied on the fungus. The plates were incubated for 8 days at 26 ± 1ºC and 12h photophase. The conidia were collected by scraping the medium surface and transferred to sterile glass tubes, then preparing suspensions at 1 × 109 conidia/mL, which was previously determined as one to obtain approximately 80% mortality ofDiatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

Third-instar larvae of D. saccharalis from the laboratory rearing and fed on artificial diet were used in the bioassays (Parra, 1999PARRA, J.R.P. Técnicas de criação de insetos para programa de controle biológico ., Piracicaba: FEALQ 1999. 137p.).

The insects were placed in Petri dishes and received 2 mL of treatments using a Potter tower (1.05 kgf/cm²). After 1 minute, the larvae were transferred to Petri dishes containing artificial diet and were incubated for 10 days at 26 ± 1°C and 12h photophase. Daily, the food replacement and mortality assessment were performed, with dead insects being removed, immersed in 70% alcohol for 15 seconds and in sterile distilled water for equal time, and transferred to a moist chamber for confirming the fungus mortality, noting signs and symptoms of fungal infection as Alves et al. (1998bALVES, S.B.; FERRAZ, L.C.C.B.; CASTELLO BRANCO JUNIOR, A. Chaves para a identificação de patógenos de insetos. In ALVES, S.B. (Ed.), Controle microbiano de insetos . Piracicaba, FEALQ: 1998b. cap.36, p.1039-1074.). For each treatment and also for the control, they were used 60 larvae divided into 4 replicates.

Data analysis

Experimental design was completely randomized set-up and the data tested for normality (Shapiro-Wilk) and analysis of variance (F-test). The means were compared by the Scott-Knott test, both at 5% by using the statistical program Sisvar(r) (Ferreira, 2011FERREIRA, D.F. Sisvar: A computer statistical analysis system. Ciência e Agrotecnologia Lavras, v.35, n.6, p.1039-1042, 2011. ).

The compatibility between treatments and fungus was based on the Biological Index formula (BI) proposed by Rossi-Zalaf et al. (2008ROSSI-ZALAF, L.S.; ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B.; S. NETO, S.; TANZINI, M.R. Interação de microrganismos com outros agentes de controle de pragas e doenças. In: ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B. (Ed). Controle microbiano de pragas na América Latina: Avanços e desafios , Piracicaba, FEALQ 2008. p.279-302.) calculated as:

, where:

IB = Biological Index; CV = percentage of colony's vegetative growth after 7 days, compared to the control; ESP = percentage of sporulation of colonies after 7 days compared to control; GER = percentage of germinated conidia, since that the CV, ESP and GER values ​​should be previously corrected for the respective controls. The IB values (p = 0.05) for products classification were: Toxic - 0-41; Moderately Toxic - 42-66; and Compatible - > 66.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect of different hydroalcoholic solutions of M. anisopliae

The different hydroalcoholic solutions, in general, did not affect the biological parameters of M. anisopliae . The viability of conidia, number of CFU and the vegetative growth were not affected by alcoholic solutions in culture medium. However, the hydroalcoholic solutions at 2.0 and 2.5% stimulated the conidia production (Table 2).

Table 2:
Viability of conidia, colony forming units, vegetative growth and production of Metarhizium anisopliae (UNIOESTE 22), subject to different alcoholic degrees (26 ± 1°C and 12h photoperiod).

In a study on the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria solani,diluted hydroalcoholic solutions (at 0.0015% alcohol) may have action on biological parameters of the fungus, differing from the control distilled water (Toledo, 2009TOLEDO, M.V. Fungitoxicidade contra Alternaria solani, controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre o crescimento do tomateiro (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) por medicamentos homeopáticos 2009. 95f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia) - Universidade do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, 2009.).

The findings of Toledo (2009TOLEDO, M.V. Fungitoxicidade contra Alternaria solani, controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre o crescimento do tomateiro (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) por medicamentos homeopáticos 2009. 95f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia) - Universidade do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, 2009.) reaffirm the potential energy of homeopathic medicines, coming from the dilution process (with sucussion), as the alcohol concentration used by the author in the tests was very low. Perhaps the results contrary to this study are due to the different species of fungi used in both studies.

It is noteworthy that even the hydroalcoholic solutions with double of the alcohol present in homeopathic solutions showed no negative effect,discarding any possibility of the alcohol present in homeopathic solution to interfere with the biological parameters of M. anisopliae .

Action of homeopathic solutions on M. anisopliae

The viability of conidia in all treatments was above 93%, not differing significantly from the control (94%), corroborating the observations of Toledo (2009TOLEDO, M.V. Fungitoxicidade contra Alternaria solani, controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre o crescimento do tomateiro (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) por medicamentos homeopáticos 2009. 95f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia) - Universidade do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, 2009.), who also found no effect of homeopathic products Sulphur, Silicea terra, Staphysagria, Phosphorus and Kali iodatum on the germination of the fungus A. solani .

In the germination phase, both the SP and NP are more likely to intervene in the development of entomopathogenic fungi because, when sprayed, the products come into direct contact with the conidia which have not yet penetrated the insect integument at this time and may compromise the control efficiency by entomopathogen (Alves et al., 1998aALVES, S.B.; ALMEIDA, J.E.M.; MOINO JUNIOR, A. Produtos fitossanitários e entomopatógenos. In: ALVES, S.B. (Ed.). Controle microbiano de insetos 2.ed., Piracicaba: FEALQ 1998a. cap.8, p. 217-238.; Silva et al., 2005SILVA, R.Z.; NEVES, P.M.O.J.; SANTORO, P.H. Técnicas e parâmetros utilizados nos estudos de compatibilidade entre fungos entomopatogênicos e produtos fitossanitários. Semina: Ciências Agrárias Londrina, v.26, n.3, p.305-312, 2005.).

There was also no effect on the CFU formation, and even the solutionsArsenicum album 24CH, Calcarea carbonica30CH, Phosphorus 3CH, Staphysagria 6CH,Spodoptera frugiperda 30CH, Sulphur 100CH and Thuya occidentalis 200CH stimulated this parameter when compared with the control (Table 3).

Table 3:
Viability of conidia, colony forming units, vegetative growth, conidia production, "T" values and compatibility ofMetarhizium anisopliae (UNIOESTE 22) subjected to different homeopathic medicines (26 ± 1°C and 12-h photophase).

This increase in CFU is a trend already observed by other authors in analyses of NP (commercial products, aqueous and alcoholic plant extracts) and biological parameters of M. anisopliae , which can likely be attributed to the degradation and utilization of substances present in the composition of products tested and may have been used as nutrients by the fungus (Formentini et al., 2013FORMENTINI, M.A.; ALVES, L.F.A.; MAMPRIM, A.P.; PINTO, F.G.S.In vitro assay of alternative phytossanitary products and plant extracts on Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. (Clavicipitaceae). Revista Brasileira de Agroecologia Cruz Alta, no prelo, 2013.; Mamprim et al., 2013MAMPRIM, A.P.; ALVES, L.F.A.; PINTO, F.G.S.; FORMENTINI, M.A.; MARTINS, C.C.; BONINI, A.K. Efeito de defensivos agrícolas naturais e extratos vegetais sobre parâmetros biológicos de Metarhizium anisopliae(Metsch.) Sorok. Semina: Ciências Agrárias , Londrina, v.35, n.1. 2013.).

In contrast, in the dilutions whose homeopathic solutions were used in the tests (with the exception of medicine Phosphorus 03CH), the probability of having material from the original substance in solution is very remote, since from the twelfth dilution (1/100) it exceeds the number of Avogadro (6.02 × 1023), leaving only the information of the original substance (Davenas et al., 1988DAVENAS, E.; BEAUVAIS, F.; AMRA, J.; OBERBAUM, M.; ROBINZON, T.B.; MIADONNA, A.T.; TEDESCHI, A.; POMERANZ, B.; FORTNER, P.; BELON, P.; SAINTE-LAUDY, J.; POITEVIN, B.; BENVENISTE, J. Human basophil degranulation triggered by very dilute antiserum against IgE. Nature Reino Unido, v.333, n.30, p.816-818, 1998.). Thus, according to the homeopathy principles, the homeopathic drug action is the result of the stimulus of the information in this diluted medication. Thus, in the absence of matter, the possibility of the presence of active ingredients in homeopathic solutions may have caused the increased CFU in the present work is discarded, still not known to the mechanism of action of homeopathy on the organism at the cell level (Bonato et al. 2012BONATO, C.M.; SOUZA, A.F.; OLIVEIRA, L.C.; TOLEDO, M.V.; PERES, P.G.P.; GRISA. S.; SAAR, V.V. Homeopatia simples: alternativas para a agricultura familiar Marechal Cândido Rondon: Gráfica Líder, 2012. 36p.).

Furthermore, the informational presence of S. frugiperda in homeopathic preparation may have been based on the homeopathy principles, a factor to stimulate the growth of fungus that is pathogenic to this insect (Carneiro et al., 2008CARNEIRO, A.A.; GOMES, E.A.; GUIMARÃES, C.T; FERNANDES, F.T.; CARNEIRO, N.P.; CRUZ, I. Molecular characterization and pathogenicity of isolates of Beauveria spp. to fall armyworm. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira , v.43, p.513-520, 2008.).

It is noteworthy that in the few studies verifying the action of homeopathic solutions on the pathogenic fungi, the effect on the number of CFU is not evaluated (Toledo, 2009TOLEDO, M.V. Fungitoxicidade contra Alternaria solani, controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre o crescimento do tomateiro (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) por medicamentos homeopáticos 2009. 95f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia) - Universidade do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, 2009.; Modolon, 2010MODOLON, T.A. Preparados em altas diluições para o manejo fitossanitário e pós colheita do tomateiro 2010. 79f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Produção vegetal) - Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, 2010.), making it difficult to compare with this class of products.

The lack of effect on vegetative growth was confirmed in the diameter of colonies, which did not differ statistically among products and between them and the control.

However, the drugs Sulphur, Silicea terra, Staphysagria, Phosphorus and Kali iodatum, when incorporated into the PDA culture medium, reduced the vegetative growth of A. solani (Toledo, 2009TOLEDO, M.V. Fungitoxicidade contra Alternaria solani, controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre o crescimento do tomateiro (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) por medicamentos homeopáticos 2009. 95f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia) - Universidade do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, 2009.). Similarly, Arsenicum album at Staphysagria at the dynamization 6, 12, 25, 30, 50, 60, 80 and 100CH promoted reduction in vegetative growth of A. solani when applied to the fungus inoculated on the PDA culture medium (Modolon, 2010MODOLON, T.A. Preparados em altas diluições para o manejo fitossanitário e pós colheita do tomateiro 2010. 79f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Produção vegetal) - Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, 2010.). In such cases, variations may be caused by concentrations and especially by the difference between fungal species involved.

Conidia production was stimulated by drugs Arsenicum album 24CH,Calcarea carbonica 30CH, Phosphorus 3CH,Staphysagria 100CH and Sulphur 100 and 200CH, and promoted significant increase when compared to control water (Table 3).

Under field conditions, the rust infestation (Phakopsora euvitisOno) was reduced with homeopathic solutions of Silicea 30CH over 90%, which proves the fact that homeopathic solutions have no broad spectrum action, i.e., in different fungi can cause different results (Bonato et al., 2006BONATO, C.M.; SOUZA, A.F.; COLLET, M.A. Controle da ferrugem (Phakopsora euvitis Ono) em videira pela aplicação de soluções homeopáticas. In: ENCONTRO DA CULTURA HOMEOPÁTICA, 16, SIMPÓSIO DO GIRI, XX., 2006, São Paulo, SP. Resumos São Paulo: 2006. p.52.).

Regarding toxicity, according to the biological index proposed by Rossi-Zalaf et al. (2008ROSSI-ZALAF, L.S.; ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B.; S. NETO, S.; TANZINI, M.R. Interação de microrganismos com outros agentes de controle de pragas e doenças. In: ALVES, S.B.; LOPES, R.B. (Ed). Controle microbiano de pragas na América Latina: Avanços e desafios , Piracicaba, FEALQ 2008. p.279-302.), all homeopathic treatments were compatible to the fungus M. anisopliae with toxicity values ​​above 80 (values ​​greater than T = 66 compatible).

The absence of similar studies makes it difficult to discuss the results of this parameter, but, based on the absence of negative interaction of homeopathic solutions tested in this work with all biological parameters ofM . anisopliae, it may be considered that the combined use in field is safe, given the conditions in the laboratory being of maximum exposure among drugs and fungus and field (Alves et al., 1998aALVES, S.B.; ALMEIDA, J.E.M.; MOINO JUNIOR, A. Produtos fitossanitários e entomopatógenos. In: ALVES, S.B. (Ed.). Controle microbiano de insetos 2.ed., Piracicaba: FEALQ 1998a. cap.8, p. 217-238.).

Action of homeopathic treatments on the insecticidal activity of M. anisopliae on D. saccharalis

The D. saccharalis mortality by the fungus was not affected by the presence of homeopathic drugs in the culture medium by comparing the treatment containing the fungus produced in culture medium treated with water only (control fungi). Mortality confirmed was between 78 and 98% (Table 4).

Table 4:
Mortality confirmed ( ± SE) of Diatraea saccharalis larvae undergoing homeopathic products and the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (UNIOESTE 22) multiplied in amid ME + homeopathic medicines (26 ± 1°C and 12h photoperiod).

The lack of effect of homeopathic treatments on the insecticidal activity ofM. anisopliae reflects, besides the absence of effects on the above parameters and also because these drugs at such dilutions may not have specific action on the fungus M. anisopliae able to inhibit some step of its metabolism to influence its action on D. saccharalis , such as synthesis of enzymes or toxins, important on the insecticidal activity of this fungal species (Alves et al., 1998aALVES, S.B.; ALMEIDA, J.E.M.; MOINO JUNIOR, A. Produtos fitossanitários e entomopatógenos. In: ALVES, S.B. (Ed.). Controle microbiano de insetos 2.ed., Piracicaba: FEALQ 1998a. cap.8, p. 217-238.; Freimoiser et al., 2005FREIMOSER, F.M.; HU, G.; ST LEGER, R. J. Variation in gene expression patterns as the insect pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae adapts to different host cuticles or nutrient deprivation in vitro . Microbiology, London, v. 151, p. 361-371, 2005.).

In the literature, studies on interaction, either SP or NP and entomopathogenic fungi have not been focused on the effects on the insecticidal activity of the fungus, which makes difficult the full understanding of the interactions that these agents can promote to the insect, since currently in several crops products with different purposes are being applied in combination, as a way to reduce costs and manpower.

It is also important to note that the non-interference of homeopathic treatments on the pathogenicity of M. anisopliae is very positive for the conservation of the natural enemy in the environment, thus becoming inoculum for probable epizooties (Alves; Lecuona, 1998ALVES, S.B.; LECUONA, R.E. Epizootologia aplicada ao controle microbiano. In: ALVES, S.B. (Ed.). Controle microbiano de insetos 2.ed., Piracicaba: FEALQ 1998. cap. 5, p.97-169.).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To the CNPq and CAPES for grants and funding the research.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2015

History

  • Received
    19 Nov 2013
  • Accepted
    26 Oct 2015
Instituto Biológico Av. Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 1252 - Vila Mariana - São Paulo - SP, 04014-002 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: arquivos@biologico.sp.gov.br