Effect of aerospace mutation on entomopathogenic fungi
航天诱变对昆虫病原真菌的生物学效应

Five strains of Metarhizium anisopliae and three strains of Beauveria bassiana were boarded on a spacecraft aviating at the heigh of 200~350km for 18d. Then the strains were inoculated on PDA medium supplement with 1% pepton. There were more than 20% survival spores for strain M189, but only 10-7 survival for strain M2029 and MR8. The spores of other five strains were died completely after the aerospace boarding. Characteristics of isolates from the colonies of survival strains were tested. The results showed that extensive varieties had happened to the isolates on modality of colonies, growth rate, sporular quantity and virulence to insects. The varieties could be positive or negative in contrast with corresponding wild strains. Four isolates from strain M189 were obviously superior to their wild strain on growth rate, sporulation and virulence. Aerospace mutation is an effective approach in breeding of entomopathogenic fungi.