Diversity and Biocontrol Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Soils of Cocoa-Farming Communities in Ondo State, South West Nigeria

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are naturally occurring biological control agents with commercial development potential as mycoinsecticides. Their diversity and abundance in Nigerian cocoa soils has not been investigated, despite the high commercial value of cocoa production in Ondo State and the relevance of fungal biocontrol to managing soil-stage insect pests. This study surveys the diversity and abundance of entomopathogenic fungi in soils from cocoa farms, fallow lands, and forest remnants in Ondo State, and evaluates the virulence of isolated strains against key cocoa insect pests. Soil samples from 60 sites will be processed using the Galleria bait method to recover entomopathogenic fungi. Isolates will be identified by morphology and ITS rDNA sequencing. Pathogenicity bioassays will test virulence against Parasa vivida (nettle caterpillar) and Sahlbergella singularis (cocoa mirids) at three spore concentrations. The relationship between soil fungal diversity, soil organic matter, and land use type will be analyzed using generalized linear models. This study produces an original survey of cocoa soil entomopathogens in Nigeria and identifies high-virulence native isolates for potential use in mycoinsecticide product development by CRIN. Keywords: entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, cocoa pests, biocontrol, Ondo State