SAFETY OF Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata IN QUAILS

Abstract

To obtain safe quality criteria for biological control agents, many tests have been developed. The aim of these studies was to determine the potentiality of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata to produce toxicity, infectivity or other organ/tissue damage in quails. Acute and toxicity/pathogenicity studies were performed by oral route. A maximum dose level of 6x106 units of the microbial pest control agent per bird treated was used. Mortality or clinical signs were not observed and no effects on body
weight, haematology, microbiology and gross or microscopic pathology were detected. Thus clinical, microbiological and pathological results provided evidence for the safety properties of this fungus in quails.