Compatibility of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana with Some Fungicides Used in California Strawberry

INTRODUCTION Several arthropod pests infest strawberry crop in California and cause a significant yield loss according to Zalom, Bolda, Dara, and Joseph [1]. Strawberry is an important commercial crop and the annual report from California Department of Pesticide Regulations [2] indicates that large quantities of acaricides, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides are applied to manage a variety of pests. Chemical acaricides and insecticides are mainly applied to manage the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch and the western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus Knight. Dara [3 5] demonstrated that entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, Isaria fumosorosea Wize, and Metarhizium brunneum Petch. can play an important role in integrated pest management (IPM) and promote sustainable agriculture. However, growers frequently apply fungicides to manage foliar and fruit diseases