Non-target effects of Metarhizium brunneum on soil microbial communities

The aim of this project was the assessment of potential non-target effects of the entomopathogenic fungus and biological control agent Metarhizium brunneum on soil fungal and prokaryotic community structures. To our knowledge, this research question was assessed for the first time using next generation sequencing technology of ribosomal markers. Non-target effect studies are required for product registration and expand knowledge on the impact of agricultural applications to the environment. M. brunneum was applied against Agriotes spp. in potato in a pot. The presence of the applied strain and the microbial community structures were monitored in soil over 4 months (1 pre-treatment sampling and 2 post-treatment samplings). M. brunneum was applied in different formulations and as unformulated spores. Controls included an insecticide, non-fungal components of the formulations and untreated pots.