XVI International Botanical Congess

Fusarium lateritium is an entamopathogenic fungus that infects different plant pathogenic pests. Studies on the physiology, growth requirements and enzymatic activity would help us to understand and evaluate this potential pathogen as a biopesticide. Hence, we studied the nutritional requirements and nitrate reductase (NR) activity in F. Lateritium. Maximum NR activity was observed at 5 days of growth and an optimum pH and temperature were found at pH 7 and 40 C. Among the nitrogen sources tested, potassium nitrate (35mM) supported the maximum NR production.