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World Applied Sciences Journal 31 (11): 1869-1872, 2014 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2014.31.11.83163

Use of Alternaria Spp as a Pest Control Agent: A Review

1Indu Sharma and 1,2 Ashutosh Sharma

1P.G. Department of Botany, Khalsa College, Amritsar 143002, Punjab, India 2Department of Agriculture, D.A.V. University, Sarmastpur, Jalandhar-Pathankot Highway, Jalandhar 144012, Punjab, India

Abstract: Alternaria is well known as a saprophyte or as an efficient phyto-pathogen. Occasional medical problems or allergies have been reported in humans by Alternaria spp or a component thereof. It has also been known to produce various myco-toxins. Recently, many Alternaria species were used against a number of agricultural pests, however the information about the purified anti-insect principal from Alternaria spp and detailed mechanistic studies pertaining to the nature of toxicity caused by it, are still lacking. The present review highlights the need of exploring new living systems like Alternaria spp as a potential bio-control agent against some major agricultural pests.

Key words: Alternaria Biocontrol Entomo-pathogenic Fungi Pests Pest Control

INTRODUCTION insects properties, which if promising might be translated in designing bio-control strategies against major Alternaria spp are generally considered as agricultural pests. saprophytes or they have been evolved to become efficient phyto-pathogens causing diseases in a variety of Alternaria Spp as a Potential Bio-control Agent Against host plants [1, 2]. Besides their phyto-pathogenic nature, Some Agricultural Pests: Alternaria spp have been these have also been isolated from plants as endophytes considered as a candidate of choice for biological pest [3]. Various species of Alternaria are well known for management since last four decades. There are many producing more than 70 types of toxins [4], though only reports regarding the entomo-pathogenic nature of few of them are chemically characterized. Therefore, this various Alternaria spp (A. alternata, being the most mould is also considered as a threat to human health [5] commonly reported species). was in isolated cases. Alternaria spp have been discussed reported as the pathogen of thrips [12] causing the previously as the bio-control agent against some weed damage to the haemocytes, adipose tissue and gonads. species like Anoda cristata [6], Cassia obtusifolia [7-9] Later, A. tenuis was also accounted for infecting Oulema and [10]. However, only sporadic gallaeciana [13]. Alternaria alternata was isolated from information is available on the use of Alternaria spp as dead Zyginidia pullula [14], over-wintering adults of entomo-pathogen or as insect bio-control agent and the Corythuca ciliate [15] and as a weak pathogen from the mechanism behind it. Some recent studies also indicated larvae of Oulema gallaeciana [16]. Alternaria spp was towards its importance as a biological control agent [11]. also isolated from larvae (IIIrd and IVth instar) of three Further, no relation of the lifestyle (saprophyte, plant types of mosquitoes (Aedes, Anopheles and Culex) [17]. endophyte or phyto-pathogen) of Altenaria spp has been Aphids are found to be the most common target pests linked to its reported anti-insect properties.The present of Alternaria spp. Preliminary analysis revealed that review highlights some recent reports of this fungi against A. alternata was associated with aphid mycoses in a variety of insect pests and strongly recommends Greece. This infected all aphid species tested; yet Alternaria spp to be further investigated for its anti- the rate of mortality was significantly different within

Corresponding Author: Ashutosh Sharma, Department of Agriculture, D. A. V. University, Sarmastpur, Jalandhar-Pathankot Highway, Jalandhar 144012, Punjab, India. Tel: (M) + 91-9356142935.

1869 World Appl. Sci. J., 31 (11): 1869-1872, 2014 various aphid species during initial two days of infection. Hadda beetles fed on W. somnifera leaves infected with The fungal germinated on the insect integument A. alternata [25] showed high mortality at both pupal and and formed appressoria that facilitated the entrance of the larval stages. Also, the adult emergence was reduced mycelium into the host. Under favorable conditions for and the development of the beetle was delayed [26]. disease development mortality occurred within 2-4 days, In addition, the phyto-pathogenic strain As1 of A. accompanied by a characteristic brown discoloration of alternata causing leaf spot disease in W. somnifera [26], the host body. Dead host showed profuse mycelial some endophytic strains of Alternaria spp also showed growth and sporulation [18]. This study strongly anti-insect properties. In a different experiment, when the advocated A. alternata as a potential bio-control cross effects among Phaedon cochleariae (herbivorous candidate towards aphids, however it was unable to infect beetle) and A. brassicae (phyto-pathogen) on their other insects tested (Ceratitis capitata and Drosophila common host Chinese cabbage were studied [27], it was melanogaster). An investigation was conducted observed that the larval development of the beetle was regarding the germination of spores and subsequent prolonged and pupal weight was reduced upon feeding appressorium formation of this entomo-pathogenic on fungus infected leaves. The adult beetles showed the fungus in relation to environmental conditions [19]. preference towards healthy leaves and avoidance towards Moreover, this study provided detailed insight into the fungus infected leaves. Nevertheless, in certain other role of the environmental factors in the spread of infection insects like Phyllotreta cruciferae (flea beetles), feeding in the aphids in the field conditions of Mediterranean on Alternaria spp infected cabbage leaves were not region. reported to cause harm to the insects. Rather, conidiae were observed in the fecal matter of the beetle and its Production of Anti-insect Principals by Alternaria Spp: species was established as the insect vector of the Alternaria spp. produce the substances, which are active Alternaria leaf spot of cabbage [28]. The diet of Cerato against insects. Consequently, some workers have tried megillanotata (an Italian alpine ladybird) was also to relate anti-insect properties with purified/semi-purified reported to be consisted of various spores of Alternaria extracts or compounds [11, 20, 21]. A potent insecticidal spp [29]. Low larvicidal effect of A. alternata was also substance was isolated from stationary cultures of recorded against Galleria mellonella (Greater wax moth) Alternaria spp, that inhibited the development of [30]. Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) [20]. Such anti-insect Burgeoning studies emphasized that in addition to activities of Alternaria spp are sometimes attributed to the phyto-pathogenic strains of Alternaria spp, various the toxins produced by the species. Alternaria toxin other endophytic strains are also known to possess anti- induced resistance has also been reported in Rosa insect properties. Among the screening of 44 endophytic chinensis ( plant) to Macrosiphum rosivorum fungi isolated from communis, an Alternaria spp (Rose aphid) [21]. The toxin (50.0 µg/ml) of A. alternata (strain Cas1) was found to have acetylcholinesterase (strain 7484) in the form of its crude extract enhanced the (AChE) inhibitory activity with a maximum inhibition of resistance of rose towards rose aphids, but it was not 78% [11]. The insecticidal potential of fungal extract was harmful to the rose plants. Further, it did not showed evaluated by feeding the larvae of Spodoptera litura on any detrimental effects on aphids during insecticidal diet containing various concentrations of Alternaria bioassay experiment up to even higher concentrations extract. The mortality of the larvae was observed to (160.0 µg/ml). Alternaria spp and A. porri were also increase with the concentration of the extract in the dose recorded previously to reduce the hatching in Ostrinia dependent manner. The inhibition of AChE is generally nubilalis (European corn borer) egg masses [22]. accepted as the primary toxicity mechanism of many Alternaria infectoria was also found to be a promising pesticides belonging to organophosphate (OP) [31]. bio-control agent against Ceroplastes rusci [23]. This culture Alternaria spp strain Cas1 was therefore can be further exploited as apotential bio-control against Life-Styles of Alternaria Spp as Potential Biocontrol agricultural pests and the study by Singh and co-workers Agents: Alternaria Spp with both phto-pathogenic [11], hints towards the possible mechanism of its toxicity and endophytic lifestyles has been tried for their to the insect pest. potential properties to act as insect bio-control agents. Recently, the ethyl acetate extract of an endophytic The 28-spotted hadda beetle, Henosepilachna A. alternata isolate from Azadirachta indica was also vigintioctopunctata, is a poly-phagous pest, also found effective against S. litura. The insect diet reported to infest plants [24]. supplemented with the extract resulted into high larval

1870 World Appl. Sci. J., 31 (11): 1869-1872, 2014 mortality and a significant reduction was observed in 5. Millar, B.C., J. Xu, M.J. Walker, N.A.M. Boyd, reduced adult emergence, longevity and reproductive R. McMullan and J.E. Moore, 2003. Isolation of potential. Further, the relative growth and consumption Alternaria alternata from an emollient cream: rate, efficiency of ingested and digested food were implications for public health. Mycopathologia, significantly reduced [32]. They suggested that both its 156: 273-277. anti-feedant and toxic effects could be, because of the 6. Walker, H.L. and G.L. Sciumbato, 1979. Evaluation of production of bio-active molecules by A. alternata. Alternaria macrospora as a Potential Biocontrol Agent for Spurred Anoda (Anoda cristata): Host Future Prospects: The present research indicates towards Range Studies. Weed Science, 27(6): 612-614. the huge potential in Alternaria spp to be used as a 7. Walker, H.L. and A. Joe, 1982. Evaluation of potential biological pest-management agent. Thus, to Alternaria cassiae for the Biocontrol of Sicklepod translate this initial knowledge to a bio-control product (Cassia obtusifolia).Weed Science, 30(6): 651-654. requires, the researchers to focus on isolating and 8. Walker H.L. and C.D. Boyette, 1985. Biocontrol of screening various Alternaria spp isolates for their anti- Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia) in Soybeans insect properties, to understand the ecology the potent (Glycine max) with Alternaria cassiae. Weed strains and their lifestyle, to comprehend their mechanism Science, 33: 212-215. of action and finally to formulate an eco-friendly product 9. Van Dyke, C.G. and R.N. Trigiano, 1987. Light and for biological pest-control. The insights from the above scanning electron microscopy of the interaction of studies will be useful for reducing the agricultural losses the biocontrol fungus Alternaria cassiae with due to pests, in feeding the increasing human population sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia). Canadian Journal of and sustainable use of environmental resources. , 9: 230-235. However, ecological role of such entomo-pathogens is yet 10. Shabana, Y.M., Z.A.M. Baka and G.M. Abdel-Fattah, to be clearly studied in detail before putting them or their 1997. Alternaria eichhorniae, a biological control product thereof for biological pest management. agent for waterhyacinth: mycoherbicidal formulation and physiological and ultrastructural host responses. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS European Journal of Plant Pathology, 103: 99-111. 11. Singh, B., A. Thakur, S. Kaur, B.S. Chadha and Authors are thankful to the Principal, Khalsa College, A. Kaur, 2012. Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Amritsar and Department of Agriculture, D. A. V. Potential and Insecticidal Activity of an Endophytic University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India for their support for Alternaria sp. from Ricinus communis. Applied the present work. Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 168: 991-1002. 12. Raizada, U., 1976. A preliminary report on the fungi REFERENCES infesting thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Entomon, 1: 155-158. 1. Thomma, B.P.H.J., 2003. Alternaria spp.: from general 13. Miczulski, B. and Z. Machowicz-Stefaniak, 1977. saprophyte to specific parasite. Molecular Plant Fungi associated with the cereal leaf beetle Oulema Pathology, 4(4): 225-236. gallaeciana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Journal of 2. Guo, L.D., L. Xu, W.H. Zheng and K.D. Hyde, 2004. Invertebrate Pathology, 29: 386-387. Genetic variation of Alternaria alternata, an 14. Ozino, M., 1982. Preliminary researches on endophytic fungus isolated from Pinus isolated from Zyginidia pullula. tabulaeformis as determined by random amplified Allionia (Turin), 25: 101-104. microsatellites (RAMS). Fungal Diversity, 16: 53-65. 15. Ozino, M. and R. Menardo, 1984. Micromycetes 3. Singh, B., J. Bhagat, B.S. Chadha and A. Kaur, 2014. isolated from Corythuca ciliata. Bollettino del Cholinesterase inhibitory potential of different laboratorio di Entomologia Agraria Filippo Silvestri, Alternaria spp. and their phylogenetic relationships. 41: 183-187. Biologia, 69(1): 10-14. 16. Machowicz-Stefaniak, Z. and B. Miczulski, 1985. 4. EFSA on Contaminants in the Food Chain Tests to determine the pathogenicity of the fungus (CONTAM), 2011. Scientific Opinion on the risks for Alternaria alternata Keissler to larvae of the blue animal and public health related to the presence of cereal leaf beetle Oulema gallaeciana Heyden Alternaria toxins in feed and food. EFSA Journal, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Roczniki Nauk 9(10): 2407. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2407. Rolniczych, 15: 151-157.

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